New multi-million pound playpark opens in Ravenscraig

Its opening weekend saw hundreds of visitors enjoy the £3.7m park’s range of activities and the summer sunshine.

North Lanarkshire Council's depute leader joined local elected members on a tour of the new facility yesterday and officially announced the names of the park and the play area – The Craig and Mini Craig.

Local school children and community groups chose the names which recognise the area’s history.

The play area includes climbing walls, swings, trampolines, bouncing discs, a climbing tower, zip slide, talk tubes, balance beams and posts, incorporating accessible facilities for children and young people with mobility issues.

Councillor Paul Kelly said: “This is a wonderful new park for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s great to see so many families coming along and having fun in the outdoors.

"This is just another exciting chapter in the development of Ravenscraig, which employed thousands of people in its heyday.

"There’s been a great deal of housing, leisure, hospitality, education and commercial developments on the site and there’s more to come."

All smiles at the new Ravenscraig playpark

The park also includes a sensory garden, visitor hub with a disabled toilet and a cafe, events area, a network of walking and cycling routes, an outdoor gym and a feature path on the line of the historic steel strip mill.

"In the coming years new schools will be built, a new road network created and even more employment opportunities," Councillor Kelly added.

“Accessible play equipment means children with mobility issues can enjoy the park, and local groups will be able to meet and take part in activities in the events area.

“In its first year alone, the Craig welcomed hundreds of visitors and I’m sure it will continue to be a very popular attraction for people across North Lanarkshire for years to come.”

A multi sports pitch and wildflower area will open later in the summer, as more time is needed to allow the grass and planting to develop.