Playpark Renewal Fund opens for third round

Orkney Islands Council’s Playpark Renewal Fund has reopened for applications from communities striving to improve their playpark areas, offering support of up to 50% of project costs - up to a maximum grant of £25,000 per project.

Eight applications have been received from eligible organisations in the county over previous rounds in April and September this year.

The fund, created thanks to Covid-19 recovery funding and managed by the Council’s Sport and Leisure service, is now open for applications until 5pm on Sunday 4 February 2024.

The one-off recovery fund is geared towards improvement projects within play areas rather than routine maintenance, and groups such as community councils, development trusts, community associations, school parent councils and heritage societies can apply.

All applicants are encouraged to seek external match funding.

The Council’s Service Manager Leisure and Culture, Garry Burton, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for community groups to rejuvenate their local play areas.

“With local government budgets squeezed over a number of years now resulting in increasingly ageing play equipment in our play parks, we hope community groups will grasp this opportunity to breathe new life back into play areas they value.

“The application process is very straightforward. Applications should be able to show how they link to the Council’s Play Area Strategy. Our Team Manager for Sport and Leisure, Sarah Johnston, can help groups navigate that and explore how they can demonstrate need and lasting benefits.”

One group who has taken advantage of the Playpark Renewal Fund is the Burray Primary School Parent Council.

Hannah Thomson spearheaded the application: “We had seen the Fund advertised however we had a few questions about how it all worked.

“I wasn't keen to go through a lengthy application process if the fund wouldn't be suitable for us, so I got in contact - Sarah Johnston was really helpful, was able to answer our questions and encouraged us to apply.

“We’d already identified playhouses as an aim, through previous engagement with families about what play equipment they would like to see in the school grounds. Playhouses and shelters were at the top of that list, with potential for imaginative play, creating themes, and adding items like a flags and chalkboards to keep them interesting.

“The application process was very straightforward - I had some questions for Sarah, she quickly answered these and I was able to complete the short application form fairly quickly. We had to produce a short Development Plan, but we found going through this process really useful because it put some beef on the bones of the original idea. It didn’t take long to receive word back that we’d been granted the full 50%.

“Securing this money from the Council was then a carrot for the kids to then do some fundraising themselves. They did an 11 mile sponsored walk from Burwick to Burray and raised £1,550 as well as a huge sense of achievement.”

Martin Fleet is Chair of the Parent Council: “The heart of most communities in Orkney are our families and schools. The Playpark Renewal Fund has enabled the Parent Council here in Burray to help towards the cost of some equipment and make up the difference between something good and something great!

“Hannah did a fantastic job in leading the application supported by fellow parents and children to make this all happen.

“We would encourage other groups across Orkney to get in touch with the Council to take advantage of this great offer of financial support towards breathing new life into play areas in their communities.”

Garry urges local groups to get in touch to check if their project or ideas could be eligible.

“We’re more than happy to chat through ideas for improvements, as we want as many organisations as possible to utilise this pot of money for the good of their wider communities.”

Application guidance and the application form are available from the Council website.

For more information, please contact Sarah Johnston (email or phone 01856 873535 Ext 2449) or Katell Roche (email or phone 01856 873535 Ext 2430)