Refurbishment of Craigie Park, Perth

We ran a consultation from April to May 2025.  We proposed a sketch masterplan for the park which showed refurbishment of the play area, new footpaths, a new seating area and landscaping including tree planting, bulbs and wildflowers. We asked for your comments on the design.

There were 167 responses to the consultation which was a very high response rate.  The majority of the responses were really positive and supportive of the sketch design proposed.

The top priorities for play equipment were the trampoline, cableway and swings.  People also liked the existing green spinning rotator and asked for this to be kept.

Around 5% of online respondents liked the fencing around the play area and the fact that it kept dogs out.  About the same number did not like the fence and complained about the dog grids filling with rubbish and becoming very slippery and dangerous for falls in wet weather.

There was a very high request rate for more formal provision for football.  Previously there had been goal posts on site but these were removed a number of years ago.

The top landscape priority was access and path improvements followed by wildflower and tree planting.  Woodland planting was a low priority.

General areas of concern noted were:

• Visibility to the bowling green – There was a lot of concern about the hedge that currently separates the play area and the bowling green to the north.  The bowling green space is used for informal play (football kickabout / gymnastics etc) during the day but anti social behaviour is common especially at night time and the hedge provides a dense screen that encourages this.
• More provision for bins and seating
• Inclusivity

In response to the consultation results, we've made some changes to our original play area design to make sure we can focus on what matters most to the community.

The see saw and roundabout which came lowest on the list of preferred play equipment have been removed and instead we are providing a larger trampoline and new spinning rotator.  Two new items of inclusive play equipment will be installed.

After careful consideration the existing fencing and gates will be removed.  It is no longer best practice in play area design to enclose play areas with fencing for the following reasons:

• Aesthetically it presents the play area as very harsh / industrial / dog run space
• It is no longer PKC policy to fence play areas and integrating play with the wider park is preferable
• There are safety concerns with keeping fencing and dog grids – not just with trips but also because children could be trapped in the area with a dog and issues with children being cornered / bullying.

The new tree planting and wildflower areas will create a more natural boundary separating the play area from the rest of the park.  Signs will be installed to encourage people to keep their dogs on leads near the play area.

Craigie Park is currently categorised as a grass training area within PKC pitch policy.  We recognise the high public demand for football facilities from your feedback.  We have revised the design to include a “4 vs 4” lined grass pitch with goals.  This is a 30m x 20m small pitch ideal for primary age children to play a game and recommended as a good size for a “skills zone” for older children.

The proposed design has been revised to include removal of the hedge at the bowling green which will open up the site and link the play area, bowling green and Moncrieffe Community Centre.  The bowling green will continue to provide an informal recreation / events space for the community and opportunity for outdoor space for groups / classes using the centre.  Increasing visibility into the space will hopefully discourage anti social behaviour.

The new central seating area includes picnic benches and there will also be seats next to the play area.  Three new litter / dog bins will be installed.

We will be putting this project out to tender in the next few weeks with a view to starting on site later in the year.