£78k bid to improve much-loved Hilton play parks

The Hilton, Milton and Castle Heather Community Council has applied for £77,808.46 toward a roughly £96,000 project to upgrade play parks across five sites; Highland councillors are being recommended to approve the grant when the City of Inverness area committee meets next week.

Play parks in Hilton are the focus of a community-led funding bid that will be considered by local councillors next week. The Hilton, Milton and Castle Heather Community Council applied for £77,808.46 toward a project estimated at about £96,000. The proposal follows informal and formal consultations in which children and families said the parks are much loved but in need of repair and new equipment. The council says match funding would cover the remaining cost. Key details: - The grant application seeks £77,808.46 toward an overall cost of about £96,000. - Sites named for improvements are Hilton Community Centre, Evan Barron Road, Lochiel Road, Glenshiel Place, and Castle Heather Park. - Consultations reported that children and families value the parks but described them as tired, with some broken equipment and litter issues. - Proposed changes include new inclusive equipment at the community centre site, a trim trail at Glenshiel Place, added equipment for older children at Castle Heather Park, bins and seating, planters and seating at Evan Barron Road, and a basketball hoop and basket swing at Lochiel Road. - Highland councillors are being recommended to grant the application when the City of Inverness area committee meets next week. Summary: If approved, the funding would help renew several small parks used by different age groups and aim to encourage more use and movement between sites. The decision is pending at the City of Inverness area committee next week and remains undetermined at this time.