Kinneil Estate Play Area Upgrade
Falkirk Council are carrying out consultation with the local community to upgrade Kinneil Estate Park play area.
There will be two different surveys to complete. The first is the "Play Area Upgrade: Requirements Survey", we will ask you what you would like to see within the park and we will use the results to instruct a brief for play providers.
We will then invite play companies to tender for this project.
The second survey will be published after we have received designs back from play providers. We will put these designs to the community and ask you to vote for your favourite. Your vote will directly influence the tender results.
Under 12's are unable to use this platform. An alternative survey can be found here:
https://forms.office.com/e/djKK2prbEm
We will then provide feedback of the full process to you on conclusion of the project.
For any further information please contact planenv@falkirk.gov.uk
Phases
Feedback
We will provide feedback on the Requirements survey here.
Phase report
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the requirements survey, a summary of the results are below.
Many respondents emphasised the need for the play area to cater to a wide range of ages, with several specifically calling for separate or age-appropriate sections and equipment for both toddlers and older children, Inclusivity for children with disabilities and additional needs was also highlighted as essential.
Safety and security were recurring concerns. Many requested that the play area be fully enclosed with a working gate to prevent children from leaving and to keep dogs out, with calls for regular checks, cleaning, and ongoing upkeep to prevent deterioration.
Several respondents wanted the play area to be expanded and modernised, making better use of the available space and providing more varied equipment, The idea of a themed or cohesive design was popular, with suggestions for local or historical themes (such as Roman or Bo’ness heritage) and engaging with local groups. More seating and picnic areas for parents and families were also commonly requested as well as keeping grassy areas for free play while others wanted to retain iconic features like the rocking horse.
Some respondents suggested moving the play area or thinning trees to improve sunlight and visibility as the current location is often shaded and damp however the distance it can be moved is restricted by buried historic features such as the proximity to the Antonine Wall.
Other suggestions which unfortunately are out with the scope of the play renewal funding which can only be used for improvements to the play area are below, however these suggestions will be recorded and will be taken into consideration during the consultation for the Kinneil Estate Masterplan that is currently being developed.
Suggestions included
The addition of public toilets (including baby and accessible facilities) as well as features like bike/scooter tracks like Zetland Park, water play areas, outdoor gym equipment or climbing walls, and BBQ facilities. Requests for more bins and better waste management were also common.
Additional ideas included a café or coffee shop, information boards about local history/wildlife, lighting for evening use and football or sports areas.
From suggestions within the scope of this funding the main trends were, inclusivity for all ages and abilities; improved safety/enclosure; better maintenance and seating; modernisation/expansion; themed design; and additional features.
We will now contact play providers and ask them to provide designs for this play area upgrade incorporating a range of equipment suitable for children with various needs and abilities while taking into consideration the results of this survey.
Once these designs are received in September / October, we will ask you to vote on your favourite in the next phase of this survey, please note that the results of the design survey in the next phase will directly influence what equipment will be installed in Kinneil Estate play area.
The link below can be copy and pasted into your browser to see the results of the Microsoft Forms under 12's survey
https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=iGuCj3jYmR1I1awlpL5zATsgflhAqBAt&id=KTpKYVNy2E2lwEJh458o0EjiVWr-z0VJrX0UyAMPFPZUOTZBNUUyNVFDQjNPU1VUVFhIQUxZTllNQi4u