A £500,000 inclusive play park which was opened in Annan just three years ago is in need of more investment – thanks to vandals.
The facilities at Weyroc Park were opened in the summer of 2021 following years of hard work by members of Annan Play Park Steering Group (APPS) in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council.
However, those involved with making the park development dream a reality were left gutted after yobs destroyed some pieces of play equipment.
The issue is due to be discussed at Annan Common Good Sub-Committee next week when councillors consider an application from the steering group for funding to do repairs.
A report, due to be tabled at the meeting, reads: “APPS have been successful in securing capital funding to deliver the first two phases of Weyroc Park, ongoing capital funding is needed to replace a small number of play equipment items that have been damaged beyond the point of repair.
“Some of this damage has been caused by anti-social behaviour, with members of APPS working closely with community policing and other key stakeholders to address this.
“The group are grateful to the council who have undertaken some repairs to date out of goodwill, with local businesses having also stepped in to offer in-kind repairs and servicing.”
“There are still however a small number of outstanding defects.”
The cost to repair and replace pieces of play equipment has been calculated as £3500. The steering group has £1500 of its own funds and is requesting the remaining £2000 from the fund.
In their grant application, APPS members wrote: “The funds, if successful, would be used to replace on some the equipment damaged during the antisocial behaviour – primarily the interactive boards and the spinning bowls.
“We feel it is important to replace these items as soon as possible to ensure that there is a high standard of facilities available for the local residents of the Royal Burgh of Annan.”
- above: the opening of the park
