A new pump track for BMX riders and skateboarders, a community social garden, and improved drainage at a popular bowling club could all come to Renfrewshire if their applications are approved.
Renfrewshire Council has considered the latest round of applications for its Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund.
Johnstone Community Council asked for £48,000 to install the pump track which is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden using up and down body movements as opposed to pedalling.
There is currently no other kind of track like this in Renfrewshire and, if approved, the community council plans to speak to the community on where in Thomas Shanks Park it should go or if they’d rather see something similar.
The second of three projects considered was from Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) which has applied for £25,000 to build a community social garden on leased land behind Lochwinnoch Parish Church, sharing it with local group Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP).
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The garden would provide for the community through a community market and food bank, while they would also look to add flower beds, vegetable patches and an outdoor classroom which would include a sensory garden and learning space.
And finally, Robertson Park Bowling Club in Renfrew asked for £16,675 towards a new irrigation system which will help ensure the greens are maintained throughout the year, particularly during the dry summer months.
It would help the club maintain their regular matches, as well as the weekly school sessions they provide for pupils from Newmains, Arkleston, Kirklandnuek and St James’ Primary Schools.
Councillors considered the application at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board last week.
Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “This fund has been one of the things I am most proud of since it was launched in 2018 as it has made such a real difference to almost every community in Renfrewshire.
“73 different projects have received funding so far, with play parks, community gardens, nature reserves, growing grounds, sports facilities and more all being created or upgraded in our local neighbourhoods.
“It’s been a real example of the Council and the community working together to make positive change in Renfrewshire."
Since the last board, five projects have been awarded funding under delegated authority from the Villages Investment Fund, taking the total invested in village projects to more than £420,000.
Kilbarchan Smile received funding for a bench and a raised flower bed to be installed on the grounds of the Mary Barbour Cairn on New Street, Kilbarchan, while Friends of Howwood Park were awarded a grant to support their 2022 events programme in the park as well as a suite of tools to help with maintenance.
Gryffe Rotary Club received funding for signage along their ‘Walk for Life’ project which allows villagers to walk down the valley the length of the river through Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir, Houston, Crosslee, Linwood Moss and Linwood Community Woods to the On-X Sports Centre in Linwood.
Bonnie Bishopton will use its funding to create inviting flowerbeds and maintain them as they look to make their area more appealing and LCDT in Linwood will use a grant award to plan and design how they would create their community garden.
For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund
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