Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 2 March 2020 13:39
Following a successful application for £50,000 to Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, which was matched funded by LEADER Renfrewshire, Howwood Community Council has overseen the installation of new play equipment, comprising a zip slide, nest swing, roundabout, climbing frame, swing bars, a new football goal and picnic tables.
Gillian Whyte, Howwood Community Council, said: “The new equipment is being well-used for this time of year and we expect it to increase greatly once the remaining new equipment is in place and the weather improves!
“The improvements have been a catalyst for the formation of our new group, ‘Friends of Howwood Park’, which brings together a group of local residents whose aim is to look after the park and ensure it is used to its full potential.
“We hope to take over the currently unused pavilion located in the park under a Community Asset Transfer, with a view to having this re-opened for community use and are working closely with the council to explore this.”
Further improvements are still to be undertaken later this year and include new scooter ramps, an outdoor gym and more play equipment.
Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities Housing and Planning Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see the change in Howwood Park already and it’s been driven by the brilliant volunteers at Howwood Community Council.
“We want to ensure our parks are inviting places for families to visit for generations to come and this new play equipment, combined with our upgrades to the drainage and paths, are transforming this park for the local community.
“If you’re inspired by the work at Howwood, please get in touch with us and we’ll work with you to access the funding and support you need to make a difference to your local area.”
Thanks to additional investment by Renfrewshire Council, a new perimeter path has also been completed, all other existing paths have undergone improvements, new fencing has been installed and the football pitch drainage has been upgraded.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to make these improvements to Howwood Park and a huge thank you goes to our parks team who have carried out fantastic work in conjunction with the local community.
“We have been working closely with the community council to identify exactly what the park needed to make it more family-friendly and by improving access for visitors and ensuring they have a safe walkway around the park, we’re already seeing visitor numbers increase.”
The £1.87million Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund aims to regenerate and make physical and environmental improvements to areas across Renfrewshire.
Awards from the fund will assist in bringing in external funding, increase community participation in local areas and encourage the process of transferring assets to local communities.
Each application must show it has consulted the local community to ensure there is a need and desire for the project and that it would improve community life.
£370,000 has been ringfenced from the overall £1.87million fund specifically for investment in Renfrewshire's villages, through the Villages Investment Fund, and applications for this must show that they will strengthen the unique identity, heritage and character of village life.
For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORE
A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.
READ MORE
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Spooky season descended on Paisley at the weekend as thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Halloween Festival!
READ MORE
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Celebrated traditional music and Gaelic arts charity, Fèis Phàislig, has announced details of a major anniversary concert to mark ten years of providing cultural opportunities for young people.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival is back at its spooky best as thousands of visitors attended the first night of the festival.
READ MORE
The winners of the latest Beat the Street challenge in Renfrewshire have now been announced!
READ MORE
Judges in the Scotland Loves Local Awards awarded the title after being impressed by the critical point reached in the town's 'resurgence' amid unprecedented investment in its future.
READ MORE
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, is delighted to announce the arrival of Snowflake Gelato.
READ MORE
Free and low-cost screenings showcase Horror, Heritage, and Homegrown Talent selected by local curators and young people.
READ MORE
Families are in for a spook-tacular surprise this Halloween, as Aldi is transforming part of its Renfrew store into a pop-up Pumpkin Patch on Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival will return this weekend with a packed programme to fright and delight visitors!
READ MORE
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
Scotland's scariest convention is heading to Renfrewshire for a two-day Halloween spectacular!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire's Provost, Lorraine Cameron is once again inviting children of primary school age to design a Christmas card for 2025.
READ MORE
Grab some Buddie Good Deals in Paisley town centre from Saturday 11th October until Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MORE