£5m lottery boost for community parks and gardens

Playgrounds, skate parks and gardens across Scotland are to benefit from almost £5 million lottery cash.

The Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces scheme will see £4,860,242 shared between 31 projects aimed at getting people outside and interacting with their local community.

Organisers of the grants hope that by rejuvenating open spaces, people of all ages will have a safe place to meet, play, socialise and exercise.

In Saline, Fife, a £90,000 award will fund the creation of a cycle and footpath network linking four communities.

In Faifley, Dunbartonshire, the Watchmeal Crescent Environmental Improvements project will use a grant of £249,263 to regenerate the area through a landscaping project which is part of a 16-week employability and training programme.

Priorities

Maureen McGinn, chairwoman of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Community Spaces Scotland offers people the chance to get together, have a voice and become actively involved in the future of their community.

“We want this investment to help create ties, bringing local people together, while improving the community spaces which matter to them.”

David Chisholm, vice chairman of the Saline Environmental Group, said: “The Big Lottery Fund Scotland contribution means a start can be made on a path that will meet our community priorities of facilitating access to services in Oakley and allowing people of all abilities to get to attractive countryside.

“Importantly, the award acknowledges the value of community consultation and will give other groups the confidence to take forward their own projects.”

To find a list of the 31 projects visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/news-and-events