Inclusive play park opens in Scottish Borders

A new inclusive play park has opened in the Scottish Borders.

The £350,000 facility at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre, close to the towns of Melrose, Kelso and Jedburgh, was officially opened on Sunday 28 April 2019. 

A wide range of accessible play equipment is available in the park including two wheelchair swings, an inclusive roundabout, a two-bay Viking basket swing set and an all-inclusive sensory boardwalk.

At the heart of the play park is an impressive Jedburgh Abbey-inspired centrepiece and pyramid tower. There is also an agility trail, a picnic area and a toddler play garden. 

Local children’s storybook star, Badger the Mystical Mutt. Badger was at the opening, raising awareness of the new ‘dogs welcome’ at Harestanes. As well as being welcome in the play park, dogs are now also welcome in the café, which serves delicious local produce.

The play park, which will be managed by charity Live Borders as part of their Harestanes centre, is the latest to be funded by Scottish Borders Council’s £4 million investment in new play parks, skate park, pump tracks and other outdoor community facilities over four years.

Ben Lamb, Director of Operations at charity Live Borders said:

"Our new play park offers children of all ages and abilities to have challenging and imaginative fun, in the stunning Borders countryside. There have been significant developments at Harestanes over the last year and there is even more to come. We are placing Harestanes’ firmly on the map as a premier destination for locals and tourists alike."

Cllr David Parker, Convener of Scottish Borders Council, said:

"Harestanes play park is a fantastic facility which will encourage local families to get outside and get active in a fun environment and hopefully encourage people to come to the visitor centre and the wider Scottish Borders."

In a joint statement, local Jedburgh and District Councillors Jim Brown, Scott Hamilton and Sandy Scott, said:

"We expect Harestanes to see a boost throughout the upcoming summer and hopefully also bring more visitors to our stunning area of the Scottish Borders."

​Find out more about the Harestanes play park.