Campaigners press on with vision for Inverness park
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CAMPAIGNERS hoping to transform a historic Inverness park into a vibrant green space are pressing on with their vision, despite suffering a setback.
The Northern Meeting Park Group hopes to transfer ownership of the venue in Ardross Street from Highland Council to a community-run organisation in a bid to enable greater public access and breathe new life into its dilapidated buildings
But its application for a £20,000 grant to prepare a business plan and carry out surveys has been turned down by the Scottish Land Fund.
Following feedback, however, it is now preparing to submit another application in May and is hoping for more positive news.
It is also planning to open the usually locked park gates to the public for one week at Easter and another week in the school summer holidays.
It is a repeat of a successful two-week trial opening last summer when hundreds took up the chance to enjoy the space for various uses including family outings, outdoor office meetings and picnic lunches.
Leading campaigner Jon Ford hopes to encourage greater use and activities during the opening weeks taking place April 6–14 and July 6–14.
“This year, we also want people to let us know if they want to form a programme of events and we can see if it is something we can put on,” he said.
“If people are out and about in the park there might be a shinty game going on, for example, or a pipe band.”
Another possibility might be a Teddy bears’ picnic.
The group is also in talks with the Care and Learning Alliance (Cala) about future possibilities to use the location for childcare provision .
In addition, discussions have taken place with the Calman Trust a young people’s service offering housing support, training, employment opportunities, cooking services, about serving refreshments.
Jaci Douglas, Cala’s chief executive, said during discussions with the community over a year ago, flexible and accessible childcare was identified as one of the needs in the area along with a possible use for the park space.
“We have been working closely with the Northern Meeting Park Group on how best to meet that aspiration,” she said.
“As an early years charity, Cala is well placed to work with partners to provide a quality early learning and childcare service and we are really excited about the opportunity to do that in close collaboration with the community group, Highland Council and Highland Life Highland as well as with local parents although it’s still at the early planning stages. “
