Children’s park named winner of community projects competition

A CHILDREN’S park in Dumfries has been named winner of an awards competition celebrating “community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality”.

The Catherine Street Inclusive Park has been designed for children with a disability.

Says the Scottish Civic Trust, which organises the competition (called My Place Awards), here: “A working group led by parents of disabled children formed in 2018 to campaign for an inclusive play space in Dumfries. They were frustrated that their children didn’t have accessible space to play and socialise.

“With the dream of redeveloping a run-down local playpark, the working group was constituted as ‘Include Us’ (a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation). Following community consultation, the group successfully raised £225,000 from trusts, community fundraising and Dumfries and Galloway Council.”

The Trust – which was founded in 1967 – adds: “Since opening in 2020, the park has been a hub of activity, supporting health and wellbeing. Described as a ‘community centre without walls’, the park encourages all age groups and abilities to share a space and spend recreation time side-by-side.”

Entries are being invited for the My Place Awards 2024, here.

Pictured: Dumfries, Picture credit: Place Design Scotland