Strathpeffer community park vision hits major milestone as long-awaited land transfer confirmed
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A ROSS-SHIRE community's determination to create a transformational hub that will bring people together and dramatically improve the "lamentable" outdoor play opportunities for children has paid off.
Years of hard work has paved the way for a community project that will see the historic spa village of Strathpeffer create a playpark, pump bicycle track and community garden.
The effort comes in the wake of the community taking control of the iconic Strathpeffer Pavilion and significant progress on an off-road track linking it with the county town of Dingwall.
After a two-year wait, Strathpeffer Residents' Association has completed a community asset transfer of land for a project set to breathe new life into a village which has been left with just a dodgy see-saw and two toddler swings.
Children literally jumped for joy at the news this week as SRA chairman David Genney said: "We are incredibly chuffed to have reached this milestone and excited to get on with the next stages of the project."
It will begin this summer with essential drainage work on a neglected area of land at Ord Terrace.
A network of paths and community garden overseen by local volunteers is also envisioned with educational tie-ups with Strathpeffer Primary.
Mr Genney said community ownership – which follows support from Highland Council and the Scottish Land Fund – is "incredibly significant". He said: "It opens up significant funding opportunities for us. It will be managed with the community's needs and desires in mind."
The group has already raised £46,000 via the town centre fund, a contribution from Highland Housing Alliance,w hcih is building new homes in the village, and wind farm grant cash from EDF.
He said: "The reaction locally has been tremendous. A lot of parks are in a lamentable state. We have a see-saw that just passed its safety test and is recommended for replacement plus two toddler swings for a community of about 1200 people.
"The pandemic has emphasised the need to be resilient and also how important good health is. Getting outdoors to play and be active is so important and that is something this site will help with."
Playparks have been a major issue across Ross-shire with many condemned by Highland Council as unsafe and either mothballed or removed pending agreement on funding for any replacements.
Mr Genney said the group was heartened to see recognition by councillors of the importance of turning around the fortunes of Highland play parks "and look forward to working with them".
He said: "Parks are not cheap and we still have a lot of work ahead of us, but with the amazing support we've had from our community, we're feeling as positive as ever we'll get there."
Community council chairman Ron McAulay said: "The community council is delighted to see the hard work of the Strathpeffer Residents’ Association pay off. Our community, and particularly our children, are in desperate need of a new play park and this is an important milestone. Having high quality green space is an asset and will contribute to ensuring Strathpeffer remains an attractive place to live and visit."
A number of locals took to social media to welcome the milestone. One posted: "There has been an immense amount of work to push this project forward. Congratulations guys."
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