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Community vision to transform 'neglected' Speyside park


By Lorna Thompson

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PLANS to bring an Aberlour park "back to life" under community ownership have been put out to public consultation by Moray Council.

PlayAberlour, a local charity formed in 2018, hopes to transform the village's Alice Littler Park, saying the much-loved amenity by the River Spey is in a "shocking state of neglect".

The group says Aberlour desperately needs a new and inclusive playpark, and the rest of the two-acre park is in urgent need of maintenance and upgrades.

It says: "Sadly, maintenance in recent years has been done to a bare minimum standard, and the general condition of the entire park has deteriorated.

"Memorial benches are in disrepair, weeds and molehills cover large areas, broken tree branches are left on the ground."

It says the few play equipment items remaining in the playpark are timeworn and need to go. Moray Council has removed some equipment over safety.

PlayAberlour says: "What is needed is a complete renewal of the entire park, including a re-imagining of the playpark, to meet the needs of all people – of all ages and abilities, locals and tourists alike – for fun and recreation in Aberlour."

The group proposes to achieve this by bringing the park under community ownership through the Scottish Government's Community Asset Transfer (CAT) scheme.

The playpark at Aberlour's Alice Littler Park.
The playpark at Aberlour's Alice Littler Park.

The playpark would be the group's initial main focus. It adds: "Our new playpark will be a thrill for toddlers and older kids, and as inclusive as possible for people of all ages and physical abilities. It will have a mix of replacements for the obsolete or missing equipment, other traditional items, and brilliant new amenities – new play equipment that reaches all age groups and abilities. Not just a traditional playpark, but something for everyone including a fitness gym, musical and sensory equipment, and potentially even sand and water play."

Plans include a new fence to keep children away from the river, possibly a separate dog play area, new seating, tables and shelter to "broaden the appeal" of the facility. The group says all new equipment, furniture and landscaping "will be selected to fit attractively in the Speyside setting and be made from suitable materials".

The group would also take measures to protect the park's trees.

Alice Littler Park has been owned by the Alice Littler Memorial Trust since the 1970s, and leased to Moray Council. The current playpark was built in the late 1990s by the Aberlour Community Association, which still holds a lease for that area.

The consultation will run until February 7. Details can be found at www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_109940.html. Responses can be made using the online form, by emailing CAT@moray.gov.uk or writing to Community Asset Transfer Team, Moray Council, High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX.

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