Parents of city schoolchildren are concerned kids’ access to sports and recreation will be reduced if a traditional play area is allowed to grow wild.
Victoria Square in Kings Park has been used by Allan’s Primary School in Spittal Street for decades to hold annual sports days as well as regular football matches and running events.
However, some open greenspaces are no longer maintained with the introduction of Stirling Council’s pollinator strategy which aims to provide physical and mental well-being by bringing people closer to nature – encouraging bees, butterflies and other insects - as well as tackling the global climate crisis.
On Sunday, May 14, in advance of the school’s annual sports day on Thursday, May 18, a group of frustrated parents and residents mowed the grass there.
And following an enquiry by the Observer, Stirling Council mowed the area last Wednesday, May 17.
A parent of children who attend Allan’s Primary, Chris Speirs, had expressed concern that leaving the area unmaintained will hinder play, sports and recreation.
Nearby Kings Park, he said, is not considered a suitable alternative as it takes longer to get to – and involves crossing busy roads.
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Mr Speirs commented: “Allan’s Primary school is an inner city school with minimal outside space.
“It is not safe to have all pupils playing outside at one time due to the limited size of the playground, which is entirely concrete.
“As such, the school, with the council’s knowledge, uses Victoria Square regularly to ensure that pupils have a safe place to run around.
“In the current climate, opportunities for some children ‘to get away’ have never been more needed.
“The square is also used daily by local children and various clubs/organisations including; Beavers, Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Boys’ Brigade and local nurseries.
“I find it confusing how, in a time where young people are scrutinised over the amount of screen time they access, we would deprive them of their ability to get outside and play/socialise in a safe environment and instead force them more to their devices.”
Mr Speirs pointed out that children have played on Victoria Square for decades and that the local authority had maintained the greenspace during that time. He added: “Stirling Council, without consultation or feedback from local families, schools, and organisations has decided that the area should be turned over to a pollinator strategy in which the grass will not be maintained and cut, and as such they have approved a strategy which ultimately disadvantages local children.
“For the safety and wellbeing of our children we would like the council to reconsider this strategy, or at the very least discuss it with us so that they can realise the detrimental impact it will have on young people.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said last week: “We would like to apologise for the confusion. Whilst the location is earmarked for a change in grass-cutting frequency as part of our pollinator strategy, the frequency of cut change was premature given that engagement with the community had not yet taken place.
“We have now reverted to the original maintenance regime. The grass has been cut in time for the school sports day. We will now look to engage with the community as soon as possible.”
Options for the future of Allan’s Primary School are expected to be brought before Stirling councillors later this year.
The city centre primary school was told in 2018 that it could end up being relocated after the accommodation was given the lowest suitability rating (category D) of any school building in the Stirling area due to its lack of external play space.
