Dumfries’ Catherine Street Inclusive Park has won Scotland’s top built environment award.
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards, supported by the Scottish Government, held its annual ceremony at The Trades Hall in Glasgow on Monday with an unprecedented three projects from across the region through to the finals.
However, it was the park which has a unique design for physical, social and sensory play for all age groups and abilities, to share a space and spend recreation time side-by-side, which won the overall title.
It is a triumph for the Include Us SCIO which runs it, following the campaign started in 2018 by parents of disabled children who channelled frustration over a lack of accessible space for them to play and socialise, into a push for an inclusive play space in Dumfries.
Include Us was formed to take forward the dream of redeveloping a run-down playpark, following community consultation, and raised £225,000 from trusts, community fundraising and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Since opening in 2020, the park has been a hub of activity, supporting health and wellbeing. Visitors can play with waterwheels, sand chutes and trampolines and, through partnerships with carer groups, autism and disability groups, mental health services and employability services, the park also offers a variety of activities to support community cohesion and skills development.
Lisa Callander-Bone, development manager with Include Us, told the Standard they are “absolutely delighted” to be top in Scotland.
She said: “We are so proud that this magical space has been recognised nationally and are grateful to all who supported the creation and ongoing development of Catherine Street Inclusive Park.
“It is a community centre without walls in the heart of Dumfries.
“It’s a unique space shared by people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. A place built by the community for the community. Our ethos is to break barriers to inclusion by supporting connections.
“We deliver training in horticulture and business for young people with barriers to employment, and various activities such as nature explorer sessions for children and young people, summer play schemes, family play sessions, community events and activity workshops within the park.”
A member of the My Place Awards 2023 judging panel, Gordon Murray, said: “Entries to the 2023 My Place Awards were of extremely high quality, but what made Catherine Street Inclusive Park stand out from the crowd was its engagement with the local community.
Dumfries’ People’s Project volunteers for their work at Castledykes Park were finalists at the awards ceremony, along with Glenluce Village
Square.
