Revamped Stronsay play area gets the thumbs up!

Work continues to breathe life into other parks across Orkney 

The rejuvenated playpark in Stronsay’s Whitehall village opened at the weekend and was soon filled with happy bairns enjoying the new equipment. 

Thanks to funding from the OIC’s Play Area Renewal Fund, Stronsay Community Council and the Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund, two large pieces of equipment have been installed. 

In addition, a number of similar projects are ongoing throughout Orkney this month – with improvement works on Eday, at the Marwicks in Stromness and Brandyquoy Park in Kirkwall – thanks to Scottish Government Playpark Renewal Funding. 

Tina Riches took her daughter, Chloe Chalmers, along to Whitehall on Friday. She said: “It’s nice to see the village playpark being updated with more exciting equipment! I used to go there when I was peedie so it's grand that my daughter will get the same opportunity to let off some steam and have somewhere to meet up with her pals and play safely.” 

The successful reopening of the Stronsay amenity is down to the hard work of Stronsay Community Council, with the assistance of the Stronsay Islands Link Officer/Clerk Colin McAlpine and the OIC Sport and Leisure Team and the Community Council Liaison team. 

Shirley Whiteman, Chair of Stronsay Community Council, said: “The previous playpark in the village was getting old and tired and some of the equipment had to be taken away for safety reasons, which left very little there to amuse the users. That is why we started to look into this as a Community Council, and whilst it has taken quite a time pulling it all together, it’s nice now it’s all installed and ready to be used and enjoyed.” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “It’s wonderful to see an aspirational project coming to fruition in one of our outer islands – and work continues at a number of our other play areas including Eday, at the Marwicks in Stromness and Brandyquoy in Kirkwall. 

“It’s projects that folk were keen to see happen so I'm delighted that we can share the first of several rejuvenated areas that will be ready for everyone to enjoy this Spring and Summer.” 

OIC Sport and Leisure arranged a bulk install to be carried out by Scotplay, who also supplied the new play equipment, with local contractors carrying out site preparation works as required.