Dawson Park, Children's Play Area, Falkirk

The children’s play area project was enabled through an award of £45,000 by Avondale Environmental Limited, part of the NPL Group through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund and completed in November 2024.

The park is the main greenspace in the Bainsford / Langlees area and is widely used by the local community for exercise, dog walking, it is on the school route for children and parents going to and from Langlees Primary School, The two football pitches are well used by local team Grahamston FC but due to the condition of the play area, footfall was relatively low as there was little to encourage neighbouring children to use the play area for any length of time. Estimated daily numbers currently using the play area is now about thirty, for short periods of time.

Friends of Dawson Park decided to provide a safe and inclusive play space for disadvantaged children in the Bainsford / Langlees area. To make the existing play area more inclusive by adding wheelchair accessible and inclusive equipment. To encourage local residents to take part in volunteering opportunities in Dawson Park. To increase footfall and encourage local residents to use a greenspace within walking distance of their home rather than needing to travel further afield. The play area was built on the current footprint therefore did not have any adverse effects on any existing trees or wildlife.

Any play equipment and surfacing that was still in good condition was incorporated into the new design, all end-of-life equipment was dismantled and separated for recycling. The renovation not only protects but also encourages more of a social environment through the addition of new picnic benches and seating for parents, carers and families to supervise the children and socialise, the new equipment encourages children of all abilities to stay and play longer as it is fit for purpose and more inviting for the local community to use.