Forres play park features equipment chosen by Pilmuir Primary School pupils

A play area between two housing estates has seen increased usage since an £86,000 upgrade funded by the Scottish Government.

The aging Randolph Lane playpark connecting Thornhill and Pilmuir/Califer has been upgraded with new equipment, including a roundabout, trampoline, rocker, play panels, picnic table, swing, zipwire, monkey bars, boulder climber and more.

Moray Council’s Open Space team and Community Support Unit coordinated the project with help from local families.

A local authority spokesperson explained: “The upgrade at Pilmuir was installed following engagement with pupils at adjacent Pilmuir Primary School, parents, carers and nearby residents.

“Pupils provided ideas and voted on the final design of the park in an online poll.

“We hope young people are enjoying their refurbished park and continue to for many years to come.”

Ideas for equipment were provided by the 130 pupils, prioritised according to their feedback then voted on. A pop-up information session was held outside the school where the online voting process was promoted and in leaflets to nearby households.

The winning design and supplier Hags was then contracted to supply and install the equipment. The park officially opened for use on May 20 after passing its safety inspection.

The council spokesperson added: “The previous equipment was removed and reusable parts retained. As the equipment was at end of life, the remainder was disposed of by the contractor.”

Moray Council used support from five-year rolling programme the Play Renewal fund, part of £60 million the government is investing over the course of this parliament to renew public, free-to-access play parks across the country.

Meanwhile, Forbeshill at the other side of Forres still has play equipment installed when the estate was built in the late 1970s.

The council spokesperson confirmed that the play area has not been prioritised for renewal and the local authority’s budget has been fully committed for this year.

He said: “Play parks identified for renewal are based on an independent condition score. Every year, we have an independent annual inspection of the 121 play parks we manage/maintain and each is given an overall safety condition score.

“The parks we are working on this year score less than 6 out of 10. The parks with the lowest score are the ones which are renewed first.”

This year, the council is working with local steering groups - using participatory budgeting - to renew Alice Littler Park in Aberlour, Archiestown Playing Field Park and Commerce Street Park in Lossiemouth.

“Last year, Forbeshill scored 10 out of 10,” said the spokesperson. “We’re still waiting for 2025 reports but we don’t foresee much degradation.”

Moray Council can support communities wishing to accelerate play park renewals by supporting groups with fundraising and help through the procurement process.

However, due to officer capacity, support will only be available towards the end of 2025 at the earliest.