Polkemmet Country Park wins award

Sep 24 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A WEST Lothian playpark has won a national award.

Miners’ Playpark in Polkemmet Country Park near Whitburn, has won the title ‘Best range of play experiences within a country park’.

The accolade was presented to West Lothian Council at The Nancy Ovens Trust Awards by Adam Ingram MSP, Minister for Children and Early Years with the Scottish Government.

The Nancy Ovens Trust was established in 2003 in memory of Nancy Ovens OBE who for over 40 years had campaigned tirelessly to improve play and youth work opportunities for children and young people across Scotland, the UK and internationally.

Executive councillor for the environment Robert De Bold, said he is delighted the local park took the title.

He said: “This is a fantastic accolade for Miners’ Playpark, which was named by local children.

“It’s also a great tribute to all members of the project team.

“Miners’ Playpark in Polkemmet Country Park is a truly inspirational and stimulating play environment, the result of excellent design, a customer focused approach and cohesive partnership working.

“The play space has been designed specifically for its location, with equipment integrated into the landscape making best use of natural features to create a broad range of challenging play experiences.

“We have had some very positive feedback from users and visitor numbers have risen significantly.”