Councillor campaigns for Dundee playpark improvements

Dundee Strathmartine Ward councillor Daniel Coleman has today highlighted the need for more action in Dundee for playpark improvements. 
He says that the Scottish Government made a promise to give councils sufficient funds to improve every public playpark in Scotland during this parliamentary term but in Dundee the council is falling far short of that target.

Councillor Coleman said:
“There was recently a Play Sufficiency Assessment report to the council considered by a committee. The report admitted that the funding to renew and improve playparks thus far equates to just 45.5% of the total number of playparks in the city. This means that the Scottish Government is falling far short of its promise and that many playparks in Dundee still require to be upgraded.  Even though there has been some good upgrades, this should apply to all – not just some – communities across the city.”

“I moved an amendment to the Play Sufficiency Assessment report on behalf of Liberal Democrat councillors to  instruct the council Chief Executive to write to Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise. We ask for an assurance that necessary additional funding will be received within that timescale to ensure that the 2021 manifesto promise is kept in full and allow for sufficient funding to ensure every playpark in Dundee reaches that upgraded standard.”

“To the credit of all councillors, there was cross-party support for this and my amendment was unanimously agreed.”

Councillor Coleman highlighted the situation at the Camperdown Park children’s playpark as an example of how many of Dundee’s playparks are desperate for upgrade and the situation there includes :

•    Damaged fencing with sharp dangerous broken wooden spars
•    Broken zip-line
•    Damaged swings
•    Fenced off damaged children’s chute
•    Unmaintained and uncared for areas

Councillor Coleman added:
“I am aware that there are some improvements planned at the Camperdown children’s playpark but I was shocked to see how poorly maintained it has been.   I have raised this with the Director of Neighbourhood Services as the council must do much better.   It is also vital that government properly funds playpark improvements across Dundee.”