Emergency funding granted to re-open local playpark
In April 2021, the playpark at Marybank was suddenly closed as it failed a safety inspection by Highland Council. The inspection identified an inadequate safety surface and numerous other repairs.
The list of works included the need for removal of the cableway (flying fox) unit which was classed as beyond repair. Swing seats and carousel seats were also removed until an adequate surface could be funded, supplied and delivered to the site.
Provision of play areas is not (currently) a statutory duty. However, the council does have a Duty of Care and they must ensure playparks remain free of foreseeable and preventable accidents, which is why the park was closed. Due to year-on-year budget cuts, the council did not have funding available for playpark maintenance and repairs. For the park to reopen, the community had no option but to raise the necessary funds. Local volunteers came forward as it was felt that there was an urgent need for the facility to reopen. Children need safe outdoor spaces to meet and play, particularly in the aftermath of the lockdown restrictions.
The Marybank Primary School Parent Council led the project and approached the Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon Fund. They took advantage of the short notice process which had been set up at the beginning of the pandemic to make funds available quickly to groups in need. The project was felt to be directly related to community Covid-19 recovery and so was assessed through a streamlined process and decided by email, outwith the usual funding rounds. The Parent Council was awarded £5,000 in May 2021 towards the cost of replenishing the safety surface of the park with woodchip/bark so that it could be reopened as soon as possible.
The Parent Council also applied for funds from SSE Fairburn for the replacement of the cableway unit, grass matting and the remainder of the woodchip costs, and secured in-kind support from Highland Council to help with repairs and organise the procurement of materials and equipment.
The project proved to be more complicated than was first thought. There were issues around the lease of the playpark and ultimately the Fairburn Hall committee took on the role of the applicant for funding and leaseholder of the park, to allow the improvements to progress.
The availability of emergency funding from the community benefit fund helped the volunteers react quickly to the crisis and begin to find a solution to get the park reopened.
“The Marybank Primary Parent Council is delighted to have received a grant towards the costs for works at Marybank Playpark. The contribution enabled us to secure funding from others and complete the works required on site.”
Eleanor MacDonald, Marybank Primary Parent Council
This project has restored a much-needed facility for local children. Providing them with a safe and accessible outdoor play space so they can be active and socialise – particularly important after the Covid-19 restrictions and the continuing need to meet outdoors where possible.