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Where Children's Voices Matter: A Playground Built by Community

Playparks are more than just play spaces. They serve as important community assets in rural areas, offering more than just recreational spaces for children.

In rural communities, where access to organised activities and entertainment can be limited by distance and transport constraints, these facilities become social hubs that foster connection and community cohesion.

Well-designed playparks support children's physical and social development through active play, whilst also offering parents and carers valuable opportunities to build supportive networks. In areas where traditional meeting places like shops and pubs may have closed, playparks take on additional significance as informal community centres, strengthening local bonds and contributing to the village's vitality.

This case study explores the journey of one small group, which has set its sights on transforming a tired and deteriorating playpark and has created an engaging consultation progress with young people at the heart of making key decisions for their space.

Cockburnspath Playground Association (CPA)
The Cockburnspath Playground regeneration project emerged from community consultation in 2021, which was part of a wider Community Action Plan development.  It was identified that the children’s playpark in the village of Cockburnspath & Cove was worn and tired and did not offer the stimulation that young people would engage with.

This led to the formation of the Cockburnspath Playground Association (CPA) in 2022. Led by a strong and committed team, the initiative gained momentum, with backing from the Primary School and Parent Council who recognised its potential for enhanced outdoor learning opportunities.

Through considered negotiation, the CPA established a partnership with Scottish Borders Council (SBC), and this collaboration supported the group in negotiating a rent-free land lease, council support for equipment removal and maintenance, and a cost-effective VAT arrangement delivering 20% savings. The agreement has ensured the site's ownership as a community asset for at least a decade.

 

Consultation and Engagement 
The CPA placed community engagement at the heart of their approach, acknowledging that young people, as the primary users of the space, were the most important voices in shaping the project's direction.  

The group conducted several local consultations with the village's young people to determine which equipment they would like in their playground. The young people welcomed this opportunity, as it gave them a sense of ownership and pride, knowing they had played an instrumental role in making a decision affecting their lives.

To ensure an equitable approach, the selected equipment was age-appropriate, catering to everyone from toddlers through to young teens, creating a space welcoming to all children.   The renovation also included environmentally conscious landscaping with native Scottish plants, and improved accessibility through enhanced pathways.

The local primary school provided a letter of support which said:

Having a great facility in a rural community is in my opinion not just a lovely idea but one that is a necessity for our young people and families.

The project also received letters of support from the After School Club and a local resident who grew up in the village and had played on the original equipment.

This community-led approach, featuring a selection process driven by local schoolchildren, is an exemplary achievement by a group that had limited previous experience designing and implementing children's playparks.

Project Funding 
The overall project cost was £115,000, which was a momentous task for any small group. They approached Drone Hill Wind Farm Community Fund for seed funding of £10,000, and following consideration the Panel agreed to award the requested amount.  However, the group knew they still had a momentous task ahead of them to secure the remaining £105,000.  This did not deter them, and in January 2024, they applied to the Foresight Kinegar Fund for £5,000 to contribute to the total project cost.  

The Community Council of Cockburnspath & Cove (CCCC) was responsible for making decisions for the Fund, supported by Foundation Scotland, who undertook the assessment for the application.  A recommendation from the assessor was that a higher award should be recommended.  The CCCC considered this recommendation and agreed to award £25,000 to support the project costs.  At the end of 2024, the group secured the remaining funding and the project should commence in spring 2025.

Thanks to Drone Hill Wind Farm Community Fund’s initial funding, it provided the decision makers for Foresight Kinegar Community Fund (Cockburnspath) with the confidence to support funding for the project.  At the end of 2024, the group secured the remaining funding and the project should commence in spring 2025. 

Final Thoughts 
The upgraded facility will provide a safe space for children to play and for community members to meet.  The project demonstrates how community action, supported by local partnerships and funding, can improve village facilities. The CPA is now focusing on securing the remaining funding to complete the renovation.

The project promises far-reaching community benefits. Beyond serving approximately 100 local children, the revitalised playground will create a social hub for families, boost footfall to the community-owned shop, and strengthen local volunteering. Most significantly, it stands as a tangible demonstration of successful community-led development, inspiring confidence in future collaborative initiatives.

Read more about the Cockburnspath & Cove Community Fund