New Peebles playpark opens

Councillors, from left, David Parker, Stuart Bell, Eric Small, Heather Anderson, Shona Haslam, Kris Chapman and Robin Tatler at the new playpark in Peebles' Victoria Park.

The striking facility in Victoria Park is part of Scottish Borders Council’s £4.8m playparks and outdoor community spaces programme.

Councillor David Parker, Convener of SBC, said: "The new Peebles playpark is an excellent community facility with play equipment for all ages and abilities.

"The park will sit alongside an improved football area and new pump track. The council is also currently working to deliver a skate park for Peebles, which is planned to open in 2022.

"The Peebles park is just one of the playpark projects being taken forward this year by the council and new play parks are going to be delivered in Newtown St Boswells, Duns, Jedburgh and Eyemouth, along with a new skate park and pump track for Jedburgh. The new playparks being provided Borders-wide are really outstanding facilities that are extremely well received by communities.

"The program of playpark, skate park and pump track developments will continue for a number of years with new exciting projects to be announced in towns and villages across the Borders later this year.”

The new park – which has been designed and constructed by Wicksteed Leisure Ltd, who also built similar facilities at Hawick, Harestanes, Coldstream and Kelso in recent years – was warmly welcomed by local councillors too.

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler, executive member for community development and localities, said: “The new playpark in Victoria Park is fantastic.

"It will ensure young people of all abilities and ages in the area have access to modern, quality and inclusive play equipment in order to get active in a fun environment."

There are 45 elements to the playpark for kids ranging in age between 3-14, of which 15 are ‘all-inclusive play’ for children of all abilities. The main feature is a bespoke multi-play galleon ship. It also includes a small BMX track for youngsters and ball walls to retain a kickabout area that was there before.

People are being urged to be considerate of local residents and access for emergency vehicles when deciding where to park to get to the facility, which is a short walk from Kingsmeadows car park.