A NEW £225,000 ‘destination’ play park has opened at Parklea in Port Glasgow.
An empty piece of land next to the community stadium has been transformed into a state-of-the-art children’s play area.
The facility features accessible and inclusive equipment, including a castle, boat and train, climbing frames, swings, seesaw, spinners, a trampoline, somersault bars, zipline and three play panels to accommodate children of all ages and abilities. There are also picnic benches.
The project was led by Inverclyde Council and delivered by specialist manufacturer Kompan Scotland.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, was on hand to help officially open the park with his grandson Alfie, four, who was among the first to try out the shiny new equipment along with his cousins Georgia and Amelia.
Cllr McCormick said: “The play park is incredible. It complements and enhances the existing facilities at Parklea and will become a destination for young families to enjoy a nice day out right on their doorstep.”
“It’s especially nice that the play park has been completed in time for the start of the school summer holidays.”
Alfie’s mum, Lauren McCormick Foden, said: “This is a great addition to Port Glasgow and Inverclyde and it’s accessible. It’s something great for kids to do.”
Port Glasgow grandad William Mooney took his grandson Frazer Mooney, six, along to the new play park.
He said: “It’s fantastic — a great use of the area and a superb facility.”
The Parklea play park takes inspiration from the popular play area at Lunderston Bay, which opened in 2022 following a £200,000 investment.
Parklea is home to a community sports stadium, grass and all-weather pitches, and horticultural charity Parklea Branching Out and its Branches Café, which opened in 2024.
There are also walking and cycling routes linking to Kelburn Park and onto Newark Castle and beyond.
