New Children's Play Park Has Opened
Saturday 3rd June 2023 saw many years of hard work culminate in a ‘Family Picnic in the Park’, as Auchterarder came together to celebrate the opening of the town’s new children’s play park.
The project was driven by charity Auchterarder Community Sports and Recreation (ACSR), and local resident Lisa McGraw – who grew up in Auchterarder and played a leading role in the ‘vision’ – had the honour of cutting the ribbon to formally open the new facility.
Over the last couple of years, the project has been directly managed by ACSR’s Development Manager, Tim Hart – who came into post in January 2021, after ACSR secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
He said “the project was started in 2017 by the former Auchterarder Community Sports Association (now ACSR) – with a vision of upgrading and developing the existing recreational facilities within Auchterarder Public Park. The aim was to create a high-quality venue which would provide enjoyable experiences encouraging residents and visitors to stay within Auchterarder for their sport and recreation. We have had many challenges to overcome and are grateful to our local community for their input into the chosen play equipment and for the patience they have shown, as the excitement to the opening has built up. Over the last few years, we have also benefitted from an excellent working relationship with Perth and Kinross Council, through their Community Greenspace Team and the team of Landscape Architects – in particular Nick Riley.
The upgrade of the Children’s Play Park would not have been possible without the support our key funders: Friends of St Margaret’s, Garfield Weston Foundation, Perth and Kinross Council Community Greenspace, Auchterarder Common Good Fund, and Auchterarder Community Facility Fund, in addition to a private bequest.”
Councillor Andrew Parrott, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee said: “As a Council we are committed to working with our communities and we are delighted to have been able to support this project.
“It’s great to see the results of all the community’s efforts and I am sure families and children will enjoy this playpark for years to come.”
Denise Jackson MBE, Chair of ACSR, added: “As Chair of ACSR, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all our volunteers who have helped make this happen.
On the 2nd June 1953, as part of Auchterarder’s celebrations for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, a ‘Presentation of Children’s Playground Equipment’ which included swings, a slide and a Maypole was opened.
Seventy years later, our community once again came together to celebrate – with some of our older residents being able to reminisce about the event in 1953. I am sure the noise, fun and excitement from the children was the same, as will the smiles have been – it will just have been the recording and sharing of this year’s images that will have been very different!
To ‘Be Active – Be Involved’ has been ACSR’s message for nearly 10 years, and we are happy to welcome anyone interested in finding out more about ACSR, our Core Paths, Green Spaces and Sport & Recreation Working Groups to get in contact with us.”
The opening event itself was given a boost, thanks to the support of some key individuals / organisations:
Two young pipers from The Community School of Auchterarder
Highland Spring, who provided water
The Gleneagles Hotel, who baked a delicious cake - including some special icing!
Proludic Ltd, who sponsored some ice cream
The Auchter Larder, who supplied the ice cream
