Community leaders are hopeful that damaged facilities at McGavin Park in Kilwinning, including vandalised public toilets and fire damaged trampoline, will soon be back in action.
A public trampoline is “beyond repair” as a result of a fire that happened last summer in McGavin Park. It is estimated that the repair will cost £20,000.
A North Ayrshire councillor is now appealing for volunteers who are able to help with the damage and can help to apply for grants to deal with the aftermath of the incident.
Kilwinning councillor Donald Reid said: “We are still scratching our heads around finance to pay to replace the fire damaged trampoline with alternative equipment and hope to be able to apply for grants soon. We know the current hole isn’t very positive but we do hope to resolve this soon.”
Public toilets at McGavin Park were also vandalised on Christmas day despite being cleaned up by council staff. As well as a public trampoline, toilets were vandalised by young people and both cases are still under investigation by police.
Cllr Reid continued: “Not only toilets have been vandalised on Christmas day but they also have a burst pipe. We haven’t got a plumber yet but hope to reopen the toilets soon after both lots of repairs are complete.”
Community leaders have recently been working with the council to further improve facilities at the parks. Three new benches, accessible picnic bench and a memorial bench were installed in the park. Followed by the bins upgrade to help with all the waste.
Cllr Reid said: “Kilwinning Litter Pickers have been busy in the park but they would really like to do less so please use the bins and help by picking up just one item will make a huge difference.
“We have also been working with a local school around tree planting and installing fairy doors. If you see the school in the park make sure and say hello. As soon as any fairy news appears we will let you all know.
“Tree of Remembrance was very well received this year and attracted many positive messages and support. We normally have a few events over the year.
"Currently we are looking at a slightly smaller Picnic in the Park as we no longer are able to subsidise it in the same ways as in the past. We have a Participatory Budget application in which if successful would help in funding the event.
“We look forward with positivity and hope you can still enjoy the park despite our current setbacks.”
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