The area is the first in South Lanarkshire to receive the investment following local primary schools’ consultation which was undertaken to complement the findings of the council’s previous public survey which has led to the targeting of six sites for investment.

The investment will replace and or add to existing play equipment to improve play experiences for children of all abilities with an emphasis on improved accessibility to play for all users.

This will include surfacing where required to ensure children of all abilities can enjoy the facilities at each playpark.

Councillor Robert Brown, the chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, said: “This is great news and a welcome investment to help improve the play parks in our area.

“I am delighted that this funding will help ensure these play areas will be more accessible to children of all abilities, ensuring that all our young people can enjoy as many of the new and improved facilities as possible.”

The proposed funding for the Larkhall area is £330,000.

• The existing play area at Brown Street has been removed and a new fenced play facility will be created within the open space. The play area will include a toddler / junior inclusive multi-play item accessible for all, a basket swing, play panel and inclusive spring mobile in addition to seating and a litter bin within the new safer surfacing. The set of swings shall also be replaced. In the area adjacent to Percy Street - the original play area will be relandscaped, creating a picnic and informal play space

Work will start at Brown Street from 26 May 2024, with the remaining sites below being worked on following the completion of these upgrades.

• Glenview Memorial Park - will get a range of additional play equipment including a wheelchair accessible climber and slide multi-play item, additional swings, seesaw, interactive music panel and wheelchair accessible roundabout – all within the safety flooring area
• Millheugh and Muirshot Street play areas - additional inclusive play equipment will be installed at these sites within the existing safersurfacing area, and the safety bark will be replaced by wetpour at Muirshot, improving accessibility.
• Stewartgill Place, Ashgill - the area of accessible open space between the existing play equipment and the informal parking area will have a wheelchair accessible roundabout installed along with a musical spring mobile, multi-user spring mobile, seating and a wheelchair accessible picnic table. The proposed safer surfacing  area will also include the existing slide area providing an improved accessible route to the existing play equipment
• Netherburn - flooding issues deterring access at this site has been highlighted by the local community - improved drainage will be undertaken to allow better access