Beith Play Park Action Group (BPAG) first contacted Jupiter Play in October 2000 – even before they were a registered charity! The group was formed in December of that year with ambitious plans to improve the provision of public play and recreational facilities for children of all ages.
BPAG’s initial goal was to give a new life to an existing public park to include a play area for all ages, basketball and five aside areas, a teenage ‘hang-out’ and skateboarding facilities. They anticipated that their plans could cost up to £300,000 to kick start their campaign they received a £250 grant from the Community Development Grant Scheme!! Despite an obvious lack of funding, the group, however, had an abundance of very determined and organised volunteers.
The group initially consulted the whole community to ascertain what they wanted from this public space and behind the scenes they were working tirelessly to find sources of funding for them to be able to reach their goals. The group faced many obstacles to their funding applications. Issues such as who owned the land and who would have responsibility for maintaining the area once it was complete had to be resolved before applications could be submitted.
Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd were contacted initially, together with several other playground companies, to carry out a site survey and provide design ideas and costings from the groups ‘wish list’ for the new park.
Jupiter Play was then commissioned to further develop their initial designs. Several Zones were created, utilising the existing topography of the site, to cater for all the needs of the community. Further consultation was carried out to finalise the proposed designs which include displays being mounted in the local library and schools and mobile displays being used to discuss their ideas with other groups in the area. Planning consent for the site was granted in May 2003.
Finally, in 2004, the first stage of work to the park was started with the installation of the multi-sports courts and the refurbishment of the tennis court. Later in the year, with further funding secured, two of the play Zones were completed by Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd. An under 5’s area, which was funded by amenity services at North Ayrshire Council, and an under 12’s area. In 2005 a teenage shelter and further play equipment for older children were added.
After nearly five years of very hard work and dedication, the Beith community has an exceptional recreational space. The group has so far raised a staggering £170,000 to achieve this. Work will shortly commence on the skate area after a further £35,000 of funding was recently secured.
In June 2005, the group’s work was rewarded when they were announced as the recipients of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. This award recognises the vital role played by the hundreds of unsung heroes who make dreams like the Beith Play Park a reality.
After so many years of fighting for their cause, Sarah Bentley, Installation Coordinator of BPAG, says of the end result: “It is very rewarding to visit the park and see what was once a run down disused area now alive with activity as children and young people congregate there daily in all types of weather to enjoy the park.”
Beith Play Park Action Group are happy to discuss the ups and downs if their experiences with any other groups trying to reach the same goals. If you wish to speak to Sarah, please get in touch with us and we can arrange for her to contact you.
In August 2005 the World Youth Congress sent a group of overseas young people who worked with Beith’s teenagers to create a community flower garden in the park, something that had been requested by the older residents of Beith.
Jenny Templeman,
Marketing Manager
jtempleman@jupiterplay.co.uk 0131 445 7989
