A simple plea for a “couple of swings” in a St Andrews park led to the opening of a brand new play area and sensory garden on Thursday.
Members of the Kinburn Park All Together group gathered to mark the milestone and it is hoped children will make use of the new facilities which have been provided at a cost of around £80,000.
The park is home to St Andrews Tennis Club, Kinburn Bowling Club, St Andrews Museum run by Fife Heritage Trust, and the Café in the Park, all of which joined as Kinburn Park All Together to pursue the plans. Funding was gleaned from seven different sources.
Bill Sutherland, who is treasurer of Kinburn Bowling Club, explained the idea was born out of a chance conversation with former councillor Dorothea Morrison around 18 months ago.
He said: “I was taking Dorothea at the time to Craigtoun Park because we were both involved in the park, and I said to her: ‘There’s no kids in Kinburn Park, there’s nothing there, any chance of a couple of swings?’
“Two or three months later, this wonderful plan for a children’s play area and sensory garden at the rear of the museum emerged, and look what we’ve now got today.
“It’s really quite amazing how it’s worked out. A couple of swings became this play area, which is very extensive, and it’s also a sensory garden.”
Original estimates put the cost at around £50,000 although that was quickly revised to £60,000, eventually reaching just under the £80,000 mark when the contract went out to tender.
Mr Sutherland praised the four elements of Kinburn Park All Together for working collectively on the project, and said he hopes it is well used.
“I’ve no doubt people will use it because, bear in mind, this facility is in the centre of St Andrews and not far from the bus station.
“It’s really for the town – we’ve got this wonderful new facility in a park right in the middle of the town and I hope that’s how it will be remembered. I hope people come and see it for themselves.”
