A Crossgates mum is calling for fencing to be installed at the village play park, saying it is too dangerous for children with additional support needs to use safely.
Lynne Carney says the local park is left completely open, sits close to a busy road and backs onto a muddy field with paths leading into a housing scheme and nearby woods.
For her four‑year‑old son Evan, who is autistic, non‑verbal and has global developmental delay, that combination makes every visit a risk.
“I can’t spend any time with my wee lassie (Evan's sister Emmy) because I’m constantly running after him,” she explained. “He likes to go to the bits he shouldn’t.
"There’s a big field he could run onto and it’s just soggy mud constantly, and he’s got a path he could take off to go into a housing scheme and a path he could take to go into a road.”
Lynne, who has very little day‑to‑day support, said that while the park is only a short walk from home, visiting it often leaves her feeling exposed rather than included.
“You feel like everybody’s looking at you,” she said, describing how she is always on her toes and unable to relax or enjoy time with her children.
She has contacted local councillor Darren Watt and asked for a safety assessment of the site, including the option of putting a fence and secure gate around the play area.
Lynne believes many other parents are in the same position and that the problem extends well beyond Crossgates.
She said there are “loads of parents” commenting on social media about unfenced play parks in other parts of the area, all sharing similar safety worries around children running towards roads or out of sight.
She feels this shows it is “everywhere, it’s not just Crossgates,” and that the council needs to “get with the times” and update its approach to reflect the growing number of children with additional needs.
Cllr Watt has since taken up the local mum’s concerns with Fife Council after meeting her to discuss safety at the park.
He has raised the issue with Crossgates and Mossgreen Community Council and at the council’s People and Communities Scrutiny Committee, asking for the current approach to be reviewed.
Existing guidance from 2018 in the “Making Fife’s Places” document states that local equipped play areas “should not be fenced off” and should encourage open, natural play, with space for running around and socialising.
Cllr Watt has urged officers to look again at how this policy works for parks close to roads when children with additional support needs are involved.
Lynne wants decision‑makers to look at the park through the eyes of parents of children with additional needs.
“I just want them to understand from a parent’s point of view, having a kid with additional needs,” she said. “I can’t relax, I can’t enjoy it, I’m constantly running about, I can’t spend any time with my daughter, and it’s not a pleasant experience.”
She believes a properly-enclosed play space in the village would transform day‑to‑day life for her family and others. “A safe park would be the best thing… having it all fenced off, it’ll be more relaxing. Evan might enjoy it better because I’m not running about as much.
"It would just make the whole experience less stressful, more pleasant, and I can enjoy the time with the kids rather than being stressed.”
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