Showpiece flower beds in the heart of Glenrothes have been reduced to bare earth after an ordering mix-up.
Normally a riot of colour, the beds in Riverside Park are regarded as a jewel in Fife’s gardening crown.
But as locals celebrate the new town’s 70th anniversary with a number of high-profile events throughout the year, many have expressed sadness that gardens are lying empty, aside from a few weeds.
A number of roundabouts, for which Glenrothes is famed, are also devoid of their normal colourful displays.
Fife Council said an order placed for plants in November had not gone through the system properly and no-one had realised it had not been received by suppliers until it was too late.
A special display to celebrate Glenrothes’ 70th year is not affected by the issue.
David Cooper, a founder member of the Friends of Riverside Park group, said he was disappointed the summer planting had not been done.
“This is despite full planting at other main Fife parks, such as Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy,” he said.
“Members of the public using the park have expressed dismay about the usually colourful flower beds lying empty apart from a few weeds, despite the wonderful summer we have had.
“This seems to be a big oversight, particularly when groups like Go Glenrothes have bee promoting the 70th anniversary celebrations of Glenrothes.”
He added: “I hope to hear that this oversight will be rectified soon as our group have done much work in promoting Riverside Park and even produced a leaflet last year showing 10 new walks and waymarked nearly 13 miles of these routes in the park.”
Damien Woods, the council’s parks, streets and open spaces manager, said the local authority had fully intended to carry out summer planting in Riverside Park.
“Once we discovered there was an issue we did our best to get hold of bedding plants from a range of nurseries but couldn’t get large quantities,” he said.
“It’s a shame and I’m sorry this has disappointed park users.
“The issue has also affected lots of roundabouts in Glenrothes.”
Mr Woods said perennial plants had been ordered to provide lower maintenance ground cover in flower beds and on roundabouts.
“Riverside Park itself still has an abundance of herbaceous perennial bedding and the display celebrating Glenrothes at 70 has been saved,” he said.
“And, above the anniversary feature, there’s a colourful poppy display, which was paid for by the Royal British Legion.”
