Grangemouth park to receive £192,000 cash injection

The original project works and activity plan have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, at the end of last year work did begin to construct the park’s new all inclusive play facility.

Allana Hughes, Zetland Park Regeneration Project officer, said: “After years of hard work behind the scenes, the physical transformation of Zetland Park has begun. Works on the new £360,000 play area started in December and this will be followed by a new £100,000 pump track and the other capital projects.

“At a difficult time for everyone, these works will be instrumental in rejuvenating Portonian Pride.”

If everything goes according to plan 2021 looks certain to be a year of major transformation for the beloved public space.

At the end of last year Allana and Richard Broadley, Falkirk Council’s planning and environment manager invited The Falkirk Herald along for a tour of the park.

Allana said: “Zetland Park is the heart of Grangemouth and people really love this park.”

From the war memorial, to the historic fountain and the paddling pond, there is so much history in the park.

While the memorial itself was refurbished relatively recently, the area surrounding it is in poor condition so it will be upgraded – and illuminated – to allow disabled people better access to the memorial.

Everyone’s favourite eyesore, the paddling pond, will be transformed into a natural looking – albeit man made – water feature similar to the pond at the town’s Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre.

And the historic fountain – the only surviving remnant from the original park – will be restored to its former glory, with a replica of the mysterious missing lady sculpture returned to the top tier where it once was.

The ambitious regeneration project is seeking to not only preserve and promote the history of the park, but also to create new features.

One of the most exciting projects is the new all inclusive play area, which will feature a play friendly replica of Grangemouth’s historic paddle steamer the Charlotte Dundas.

The new pump track will be able to be enjoyed by cyclists and inline skaters and could be used by by both clubs and individuals for fun or in competitions.

A new permanent stage will be used for the annual crowning ceremony on, Grangemouth Children’s Day, of course, but it will also be able to be used all year round for official and unofficial performances and displays.

Allana said: “We hope the community will also enjoy it as a facility for informal performances and schools can come and use it too. It’s been designed to be part of the landscape – like a sculpture in its own right.”

Richard added it was hoped the main capital works will be finished by September or October next year – and this includes the upgrading of the park’s pathways.

Visit www.facebook.com and search Zetland Park Regeneration Project or e-mail [email protected] for more information.