Young Irvine Pupils Celebrate the Joy of Play at Upgraded Bourtreehill Park
- Ayrshire Daily News
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Children in Irvine have been celebrating the simple joy of playing outdoors as they enjoy the newly upgraded Bourtreehill Play Park.
Pupils from St John Ogilvie Primary School say the Council-run play park, which is just a short walk from the school, has become a favourite place to run around, meet friends, play football and enjoy the outdoors.
The park was revamped last summer to create a more exciting, welcoming and inclusive space for children of all ages and abilities.
Improvements include a new obstacle course, stepping stones, climbing stilts, a rope walk, tower slide, wobble bridge, climbing wall, hammock swing seats, accessible seating, inclusive roundabouts, neurodivergent games boards, new protective surfacing and upgrades to the basketball court.
The work was carried out following assessment by North Ayrshire Council’s Neighbourhood Services Streetscene team, with the aim of making play areas more accessible and enjoyable for all young people.
P3/2 pupil Laila, aged seven, said: “I like playing outside because I like running about and playing all my fun games.
I like going out with my friends, and we usually go and get the ice cream truck.”
P2 pupil Jesse, aged seven, who is a big football fan, added: “I like playing football. If there is a ball, I’m going straight into that! I like going outside because you get to play football and you can go on the swings.”
Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “Our Streetscene team has been working hard to create welcoming and safe spaces for our young people to relax, play, meet friends and exercise.
“It’s wonderful to see that the children of St John Ogilvie, and other children from the neighbourhood, have been making the most of the new-look play park.”
The investment also supports North Ayrshire Council’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises the importance of rest, play, culture and the arts.
Over a five-year period from 2021 to 2026, £1.39 million of Scottish Government funding is being invested in inland play facilities across North Ayrshire. This has been supported by a further £500,000 of Council investment in coastal areas.
Last year, a 1km walking loop called the Bourtreehill Park Woodland Trail was also created at the park by the North Ayrshire Ranger Service, with support from Neighbourhood Services staff and the North Ayrshire STEM team.
Local pupils were involved in creating the trail, alongside Bourtreehill charity Children First.
Councillor Collier added: “It is fitting that local school children were involved, and they came up with some brilliant ideas for the trail.
“It is vital that our young people have a voice and are encouraged to use it.”
P7 pupil Emily, aged 12, said children’s rights are discussed regularly at school, while P6 pupil Grace, aged 11, added: “I think children should be heard for the rights, and every child should have the right to play and relax.”
