Work to upgrade one of Perth’s public parks should see the creation of the largest play area for children in Perth and Kinross.
Phase two of the South Inch upgrade programme will provide a play park with a Perthshire countryside theme, including mounds with play forts, bridges, valleys and trees for children to explore and enjoy.
It is due to be completed by the end of August and will cost around £570,000.
The design will ensure that the new facility complements the landscape of the rest of the South Inch.
Upgrade work will also link the former bowling club and changing rooms into the wider park, removing obsolete shrub beds, hedges and poor quality trees.
The play area will be protected from flooding and is designed to enhance the parkland area of the South Inch.
It will have climbing units and a rope bridge, an activity trail, comprising of a grass path with mini trampolines and sculptural play equipment.
In addition, it will have traditional swings for all ages, a double zip slide and a roundabout.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Work is now under way to create the largest play park for children in Perth and Kinross at the South Inch, Perth.
“Contractors started work earlier this month and the play park is scheduled for completion by the end of August.”
He continued: “The new play park is being built outwith the flood plain area of the South Inch, ensuring that it will be accessible for use during times of flooding.
“We look forward to opening this exciting new play facility, which we are sure children will love. It will be a major attraction for families in Perth.”
In a paper which came before members of Perth and Kinross Council’s environment committee, depute director of environment Barbara Renton said the new play area will create a “much improved” visitor destination for Perth city centre.
“The South Inch is a high profile and very important open space adjacent to the city centre and, as such, should be a facility which reflects that profile, and is a positive part of what Perth has to offer,” she said.
“The new play area, improved entrances, and signage on the South Inch will create a much improved visitor destination for Perth city centre, complementing otherattractions in the area and creating something the city can be proud of.”
She continued: “It will provide an exciting new contemporary facility available from the local authority’s capital programme.”