Young residents have their say on how they play
Published: Friday 28 June 2024
![This image shows young gypsy/travellers working on the design of a new play area at their site in Larkhall](https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/view/images/067087_HN36_SLView_GT_article.jpg)
A new play area has been created at the council's Gypsy/Traveller site at Shawlands Crescent in Larkhall.
Children and young people from the site worked with the council to design and create the new area.
Funded through the Scottish Government’s Gypsy/Traveller Additional Accommodation Fund, the new play area aims to provide children who live on and visit the site with a safe place to play and learn outdoors.
Supported by the South Lanarkshire Tenant Development Support Project, special consultation meetings were held with children to design the parks layout and choose the various pieces of equipment, with the final designs agreed with all residents.
The new park utilised the area of the former, disused play park on the site, with residents helping to clear the area before construction started.
A key part of the project has been to improve the communal space available for families to spend more time outdoors, which is an important part of Gypsy/Traveller culture.
A young person on the site said: "It’s really cool to have this here, I really like the climbing frame which I picked. Its amazing to see."
One resident said: "The new play park is brilliant. I wish we had something like this on our doorstep when we were growing up."
The project is part of the latest round of investment in the council’s two sites that aim to improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers, aligning with national approaches to reduce the longstanding discrimination faced by members of the Gypsy/Traveller community.
Improvements to date have included a new community facility, upgraded heating and amenity units, the expansion of pitch sizes and increased parking for residents and visitors.
Sharon Egan, Head of Housing Services said: "We continue our commitment to working with local residents to make improvements to the sites that they wish to see. Residents’ focus on ensuring their children and young people have the opportunities to learn and play that they did not have is commendable, and I hope this latest project provides the families of Shawlands Crescent with many happy experiences."
A new play area is also being developed for the council’s second Gypsy/Traveller site, located at Springbank Park in East Kilbride.
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