Delivering Accessible Play Facilities

Progress in the roll-out and installation of accessible play equipment throughout Dundee is making city play areas more inclusive. 

During 2021 the council will spend approximately £110,000 on accessible play, installing over 40 pieces of equipment, building on previous investment in accessible play equipment across city parks in recent years. The council continues to focus on delivering more inclusive facilities around the city.

Councillors approved a number of play area improvements at the September neighbourhood services committee which will see equipment installed at Baxter Park and in Fintry, which suitable for a wide age of children with varying abilities, following consultation with the local community.

An upgrade at Keswick Terrace will also see a range of accessible play items, such as a wheelchair roundabout, activity panels, an inclusive springer, wide slide, multi-play climbing frame with a ramp and play panels installed for children to enjoy. 

Councillor Lynne Short, Equalities, Fairness & Older People spokesperson for Dundee City Council, said: “I’m pleased to see the work that has been carried out and the plans for the future as we deliver for all of Dundee’s citizens regardless of any barrier they may face. It’s important that we put in the effort to make Dundee an inclusive city and provide inclusive play equipment for all. 

“We are working hard to listen to our communities when they tell us their wishes for inclusive play equipment.”  

Neighbourhood Services Convener, Councillor Anne Rendall, added: “The benefits of getting outside, visiting the local park and using the play equipment are self-evident. As many children as possible should have the chance to visit and use a local play area.”

Cllr Rendall added: “We are currently undertaking a Play Audit to identify and implement a number of inclusive play items at locations throughout the city. We are taking a holistic approach to provide this accessibility and are using available funding streams to provide that for local communities.”  

A recent example of a destination play park with inclusive play is Finlathen Park, which has an inclusive play section including a wheelchair accessible swing and also a sensory woodland trail with wheelchair accessible paths. 

Dundee City Council

Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.

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