CHILDREN have given their seal of approval to the latest stage of a multi-million pound investment programme which aims to make Renfrewshire’s parks more fun.

A new play area has been opened at Barshaw Park, in Paisley, with kids able to enjoy a climbing frame, chute and see-saw, as well as rope and tyre swings.

It is part of a £2million investment at Barshaw and Robertson Park, in Renfrew, which has already seen improvements made to pathways and drainage systems.

Council chiefs are also to invest a further £250,000 in five other neighbourhood parks across Renfrewshire.

Pupils from Williamsburgh Primary, in Paisley, completed a project on Barshaw Park during the last school year, visiting once a week to undertake insect spotting, leaf identification and other related activities with the aim of learning how best to take care of the park.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, joined the pupils at the park as they got their first chance to test out the new play equipment.

She said: “I’m delighted that the new play equipment is now open as a further enhancement to the facilities available in Barshaw Park.

“The £1milllion investment there will see families able to enjoy a safe, fun and inviting environment that they can bring their children to for years to come.

“We are committed to providing the best facilities we can for our communities and the further enhancements to Barshaw, alongside the improvements to Robertson Park and the five other smaller parks, will ensure that they provide a fantastic experience for every visitor.”

The history of Barshaw Park dates back more than a century, with a wealthy local family, named the Arthurs, selling 55 acres of land to Paisley Burgh Council, which was searching for a site that could be used by members of the public for recreational purposes.

The land was bought from the Arthur family in December 1911 and work was carried out on the park to bring it up to a suitable standard before its official opening in June 1912.

Today, Barshaw Park includes a model traffic area and walled garden and remains popular with families, joggers and dog-walkers.

There is also a public golf course.

In addition, the park is home to the Paisley Model Yacht Club (PMYC), which has been sailing boats on the Barshaw pond since 1895.

Installation of new play equipment at Robertson Park is due to be completed in the coming weeks, with the improvements to the other neighbourhood parks set to begin shortly after this.

For further information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/parksandgardens