Kids have a kick-about at the launch of the Dover Street outdoor gym. Pic by Tom Finnie
Children in three Glasgow primary schools gave a new playpark a good work out on Monday. The outdoor gym at Dover Street in Charing Cross, was formally opened by Alistair Campbell, 10, from Anderston Primary; Shileas Nicgriogair, 8, from the Glasgow Gaelic School and Elisha Lal, 5, from St Patrick’s RC school who, together, cut the ribbon.
They and their class mates were the first to try out the new multi-purpose games court and play area which has been in informal use for several weeks.
Equipment enables users to do sit ups, leg and chest presses and play football, hockey, basketball and netball on the synthetic games surface.
This is the 57th play area to be built since 2005 as part of the Play Area Improvement Programme run by Glasgow City Council in partnership with Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). Additional funding for this project was provided by the Central and West Community Planning Partnership.
GHA’s West Area Director, Jacqueline Norwood, said: “Our partnership with the Council to build play parks has brought a real boost to dozens of communities over the past six years. Children can play safely and keep fit at the same time. The play areas are also a great way for the youngsters and parents from different backgrounds and cultures to mix.”
Local Councillor Philip Braat, who instigated this project, said: “I fought long and hard to get this play area up and running. I am absolutely delighted with what we have here now. It is a wonderful illustration of how a community, working together, can secure significant improvements and create a community space which is tailored to their needs. Everyone involved should be very proud of what they have achieved in making Dover Street/Kent Road greenspace what it is today – a fantastic resource for the community to enjoy for many years to come.”
The children were entertained by Bubbles the clown and a football session put on by A&M Training, a project part funded by GHA which tackles youth disorder, racism and gang violence through football and dance classes.
Pic: Tom Finnie- Shileas Nicgriogair, of the Gaelic Primary School (centre), Alistair Campbell (Anderston Primary) and Elisha Lal (St Patrick's Primary) cut the ribbon to officially open the Dover Street play area, watched by (from left) Cllr Craig Mackay, Debbie Gibson (GHA), Cllr Gordon Mathewson, Cllr Philip Braat, Sam Brady (NHS) and Jaqueline Norwood (GHA).
