Campaigners have welcomed the reinstatement and upgrade of an East Kilbride play park after a row broke out when it was suddenly removed.
A public consultation by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) saw 77 per cent of people who responded stating that they wished to see facilities reinstated at Hazelhead play area.
The play park in St Leonards was removed last May, causing a furious backlash from the community due to a lack of wider consultation.
A petition was launched as part of the ‘Space to Play’ campaign, which garnered more than 800 signatures and was also supported by EK MSP Collette Stevenson.
It called on SLC to recognise the importance of play in children’s health and wellbeing.
The local authority say the equipment in the play park was badly damaged due to persistent vandalism and had to be removed for safety reasons – with the approval of the ward’s three councillors.
Kirsten Robb, founder of the South Lanarkshire wide Space to Play campaign and ward resident, supported local residents in the 10-month long campaign to save the park.
She told Lanarkshire Live : "We worked very hard and didn't give up, despite many barriers put in our way, so we're delighted to win this U-turn.
"We'd like to thank the near 1000 locals who completed our community survey last summer, signed the petition and wrote to their current elected representatives. It was people power in action.
"As a community we now have a great opportunity to create a fantastic space for all generations to enjoy.
"I will continue to stand up for Hazelhead and for play across South Lanarkshire and commit to working together with the community to resolve any issues that arise."
As is the council’s normal procedure, the landscape development team will now arrange to consult with local schoolchildren about the proposed equipment.
Once the final design has been discussed with local elected members, the grounds services team will programme the installation.
Councillor Galdys Miller worked alongside fellow elected members in the ward, including Jim Wardhaugh and Graham Scott, to secure new facilities after the removal of the original play park.
She told us : "I think it is wonderful news that the residents have voted to have the play park reinstated.
"It will be fabulous to have a play park with accessible equipment in the area and It will make such a difference aesthetically as it will be new, bright and vibrant.
"The council will also be refurbishing the lockups and working with the local primary schools to discuss a mural on the playpark side of the buildings."
Executive director of community and enterprise resources at SLC, David Booth, said: “I would like to thank everyone who participated in the consultation for their feedback.
“We have listened to their views and will progress the work required to have equipment reinstalled at the play area.”
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