Pupils from Croy and Kilsyth helped to officially open a new Roman themed play area at Auchinstarry.
The £200,000 facility includes a Roman Fort with multiple levels and slides and wheelchair accessible items such as a trampoline and roundabout, as well as a rope swing and embankment slide.
The pupils from Holy Cross Primary School in Croy and St Patrick’s Primary School in Kilsyth were joined by local elected members and representatives from North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire Councils at the special event on Friday 18 November.
Councillor Kenneth Stevenson, Convener of the Communities Committee at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “This an excellent new facility for the local communities in Croy and Kilsyth, offering play equipment for children of all ages and families to enjoy.
“It is the latest project delivered as part of the Rediscovering the Antonine Wall Project, which spans five local authorities and promotes the wall’s fascinating history and status as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.”
The play area was delivered by North Lanarkshire Council’s Community Partnership Team with additional funding from the Local Development Programme and Place Based Investment Programme.
Stephen Balfour, Project Manager for the Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project, with West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “It is great to see the new play park at Auchinstarry being completed, as this complements the other four play parks that have been developed along the wall, and adds to an existing mix of Roman inspired attractions in the vicinity of Auchinstarry marina.”
The £2.1 million Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project has been running since 2018 and will finish in March 2023. It has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and Kelvin Valley and Falkirk (KVF) LEADER programme, with contributions from Historic Environment Scotland and the five local authority partners, North Lanarkshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and Falkirk.
Other related initiatives taking place locally include the award-winning Silvanus sculpture at Nethercroy, a Roman inspired mural at Auchinstarry Marina and an Antonine Wall trishaw, in partnership with Cycling Without Age, at Auchinstarry Marina.