New play equipment for older children and teenagers ready to enjoy
A new play area for older aged children and teenagers has opened in Lewisvale Park, Musselburgh. Located in the town’s main park, and close to both Musselburgh Grammar School and Musselburgh Sports Centre, the new play area includes a variety of new play equipment aimed particularly at older primary aged children and teenagers with a range of abilities including an all-abilities roundabout and a cableway for the more adventurous!
Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Cllr Colin McGinn, said: “We’re delighted to be opening this new play area in Lewisvale Park in time for the summer. This new provision replaces earlier equipment removed a few years ago which had reached its end of use and complements the popular toddler play area opposite in the park. The need for such provision had been identified by the local community and I would like to add my thanks to the many local youngsters who took the time to provide their views on the design options of this play area which I’m sure will be well used over the coming months.”
Local children and young people were invited to participate in the process of choosing the design of this new play area with more than 700 pupils from 4 Musselburgh primary schools taking part. A selection of designs were provided with 452 children voting for the winning design that was installed by the council’s Amenity Services Play Squad. The play area was funded with the £108k allocation from the Scottish Government Play Parks Renewal (2022/23) fund to East Lothian Council.
In addition to the play equipment, new seating has been installed and access to the play area has been improved with the construction of a new path linking into and through the play area assisting wheelchair users, pushchairs and buggies. The area is also enhanced with grass-covered bunding surrounding the play area offering further natural play opportunities.