Small Scottish play park receives international recognition

A site in Dumfries has received recognition, joining a list that includes facilities located in Mumbai, Cairo, and Medellin, in acknowledgement of its inclusive nature.

A Scottish play park has garnered international recognition for its approach to designing urban public spaces that cater to children's needs.

A sign welcoming people to the Catherine Street Park featuring a rainbow, yellow sun, birds, flowers and lots of wildlife like butterflies and ladybirds. — The park in Dumfries has been cited as an example of good practice which could be replicated around the world

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the Catherine Street site in Dumfries as a notable example of good practice in a recent report.

Other locations featured in the report include Medellin, Colombia; Cairo, Egypt; and Sao Paolo, Brazil, showcasing a diverse range of initiatives worldwide.

The team behind the inclusive park in southern Scotland has expressed their delight at being included alongside such a varied selection of global locations.

The report, a collaborative effort between the WHO, Unicef, and UN-Habitat, showcases the park as a model for creating public spaces that promote children's rights.

Two children zipped up an a green hammock - only their heads are visible. They are both smiling - one had a headband and the other has dark hair. — A whole host of new facilities have been put into the park

The document spotlights initiatives that provide children with access to "safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces", highlighting the importance of such environments.

The Dumfries park is featured in the report alongside projects from Thailand, Lebanon, and South Africa, demonstrating its status as a globally recognised example.

The park's origins date back nearly a decade, when local families with children with disabilities advocated for accessible play areas where their kids could interact with siblings and friends.

In response, the Catherine Street site underwent renovations, incorporating features such as a circular pathway, grassy areas, flower beds, accessible seating, and sensory play opportunities.

Two mums with children sit outside a tent. One of the children is sitting on her mother's knee, the other is jumping in the air. — Plans to develop the park for inclusive play were developed nearly a decade ago

The park also boasts a wheelchair swing and a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, aiming to create a welcoming space that serves as a "community centre without walls".

Throughout its development, the project has received support from numerous volunteers, partners, and external funders, contributing to its success.

In 2019, Dumfries and Galloway Council approved a community asset transfer, paving the way for the park to realise its vision of an "inclusive community".

The report acknowledges the park's strengths in community engagement, sensory-rich play, and accessibility, recognising its value as a model for inclusive design.

The park's approach to "small-scale, high-impact transformation" has the potential to be replicated globally, inspiring similar initiatives worldwide.

Dr Andrzej Zieleniec, chairman of Include Us, the organisation behind the park, has welcomed the recognition, citing its significance.

According to Dr Zieleniec, the fact that a "small park in Dumfries" has been recognised in such a prestigious report is "amazing".

The report's inclusion of the Catherine Street Inclusive Park positions it as a key contributor to global discussions on inclusive urban design.

This recognition demonstrates the potential for local, community-driven initiatives to inform international policy and practice, highlighting the park's impact.

Development manager Lisa Callander-Bone has expressed her honour at being featured in the report, stressing the importance of community collaboration.

A sunlit playpark with parents and children playing among the trees — Sites in Jakarta, Barcelona and Nairobi were highlighted alongside Dumfries in the report

A small park with a red gate at the front and a rainbow sign with benches and play equipment and trees in the background and a large sandstone building — The park is close to Dumfries town centre, across from its main library and Dumfries Academy

Callander-Bone believes that the report showcases the potential for communities to come together and create spaces that have a profound impact on people's lives, both locally and globally.

The accolade is seen as a testament to the collective efforts of all those who have supported the park's vision of inclusion and accessibility.

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The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

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Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

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Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.

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