COWDENBEATH Area Committee wants to take the communities that come under its umbrella with them in the construction of a Playpark Strategy to create better facilities throughout the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

The Area Committee heard last midweek that in September it was agreed a plan should be put together examining the playparks in the various communities running from Crossgates in the west to Benarty and Cardenden in the east and recommendations made on how improvements could be made.

Area Services manager Kevin Sayer reported: "It is widely acknowledged that free play is essential for the wellbeing of children and for their healthy development.

"This has a positive effect on mental health as well as as fostering a respect for nature and the natural environment, however, there is also evidence that children's opportunity for free play, especially outdoors, is often severely curtailed and that children in the early 21st century in Scotland do not have the same opportunities for free play that their parents and grandparents had.

"Fears are compounded where public parks and open spaces are neglected and of poor quality and by the presence in streets of fast moving and parked cars."

Mr Sayer pointed out that five communities, Kelty, Cardenden, Benarty, Crossgates and Lochgelly had developed their own community action plans and Hill of Beath was in the process of producing something similar.

He added: "In Kelty the issues raised include the state of the ground at playparks, including boggy conditions, and in Benarty new equipment near the community centre in Flockhouse Avenue and further development at Lochore Meadows has been suggested while in Hill of Beath the need for more play equipment has been outlined and better use of green spaces.

"In Lochgelly there has been work done at the public park to introduce a MUGA area and and there are other plans for it and in Cardenden improvements planned at Wallsgreen Park."

While acknowledging a limited budget to replace equipment Mr Sayer said that the annual inspection can allow for a priority list to be drawn up to identify where replacement provision is needed.

Councillor Alistair Bain, who represents Cowdenbeath, said that he knew of areas which were very boggy in wet weather and Lochs councillor Ann Bain said that the Kelty playpark was 'like a swimming pool' after heavy rain.

Mr Bain added: "There is equipment available that can make a real difference to these areas of soft ground and it is worth looking at how we can use this."

Fellow Cowdenbeath member Gary Guichan agreed while Lochs member Mary Lockhart said: "We need to take communities with us on this for it is important that this is done properly."

Mr Sayer said the plan was to speak to community groups to get their ideas on board and finalise plans through consultation.