Funding gives new life to parks

A WILDFLOWER zone, an adventure trail and a cycle path are among the projects getting a share of a £220,000 funding boost for parks, it was announced today.

Six projects in the Lothians will collect sums ranging from 13,000 to 50,000 following successful funding bids to Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN), which finances projects eligible under the Landfill Communities Fund.

In the Capital, a play park at Piershill Square West has been granted 49,840 to install a new 2.4-metre-high climbing wall, while a children's play area at Saughton Park has won 46,493 to create a wildflower area to increase biodiversity.

Both facilities will also be given a revamp, while Saughton Park will see its existing sandpit upgraded and earn a new adventure trail, a cableway and climbing whirl roundabout, swings and basket swing.

City environment leader Robert Aldridge said: "Edinburgh is a wonderful green city and this funding announcement is fantastic for both play areas."

The biggest winner in the funding coup was Midlothian Council, which scooped 125,000 - half the allotted funds distributed to the region - to match funding for four projects. A cycle path from Loanhead to Straiton won the greatest share of the spoils with a 50,000 grant towards the overall cost of surfacing the route, while Roslin Park netted 47,000 for new play equipment, path upgrades, shrub and tree planting and new seating.

A 13,000 fund given to Cornbank Woodland in Penicuik will help finance pond and path improvements, while tree and shrub planting as well as a revamp of site entrances is on the cards for Angle Park following a 15,000 payout.

Councillor Wilma Chalmers, Midlothian Council cabinet member for commercial operations, said she was "delighted" with the windfall.

She said: "As we all know, budgets within the public sector are getting increasingly tight and securing grants from external bodies such as WREN helps us to continue developing the local area for the people of Midlothian and visitors to the area."

Caroline Sanderson, WREN grant manager for Edinburgh and Midlothian, said: "WREN funding is focused on community-based projects such as village halls, children's play areas, skate parks, public parks and woodland improvements, but other projects can be eligible, too.

"WREN also runs a Small Grant Scheme and organisations or community groups looking for further funding should contact WREN or visit our website for information on both funding streams. "Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded and we offer assistance throughout the application process."

The next deadline for funding applications to WREN takes place on Tuesday, November 9.