IMPROVEMENT works in six Stirling parks are underway after being delayed by the coronavirus crisis.

People had a direct say on the improvements as part of participatory budgeting undertaken by Stirling Council.

Last year, residents in seven electoral wards voted on how £100,000 should be spent in each area on infrastructure and environmental projects.

Citizens in the Stirling West, East, Bannockburn and Dunblane and Bridge of Allan wards decided to allocate some of their budget to the projects listed below:

  • Improve Polmaise Play Park (Fallin) – £45k
  • Upgrade Drypow Play Park (Fallin) – £45k
  • Improve the play park next to Crawford Hall (Braehead) – £35k
  • Upgrade the play park in Afton Court (Braehead) – £35k
  • Improve play equipment at Beechwood Park (St Ninians) – £25k
  • Outdoor gym at Beechwood Park (St Ninians) – £25k
  • Outdoor Gym Laighills Park (Dunblane) – £30k

Equipment was due to be installed at various sites between March and June this year, but work was put on hold due to the lockdown.

Works on all seven projects are resuming and are scheduled to be complete by around mid-September.

A project to improve Cambuskenneth Play Park was also voted for and should follow later in 2020-21 following the agreement of a lease.

Councillor Margaret Brisley, convener of Stirling Council's Finance and Economy Committee, said: “It’s fantastic we have been able to restart this programme of park improvements, another welcome sign we are hopefully emerging from this unparalleled crisis.

“Your Stirling: You Decide was a landmark initiative for the council and I’m sure there will be a special sense of satisfaction among these communities as their ideas become reality and families can safely enjoy the new facilities over the coming weeks and months.”