Exciting new Fraserburgh beach playpark unveiled after widespread community involvement
The wraps have come off the exciting new and improved playpark at Fraserburgh beach, marking a major milestone in the delivery of a community-led masterplan.
Families, children and visitors can now enjoy a vibrant new play space designed to provide inclusive, engaging and accessible opportunities for play while celebrating the Broch’s unique maritime and coastal heritage.
The redevelopment of the playpark is one of the first major projects to be delivered through the Fraserburgh Beach Vision and Masterplan, which sets out a long-term vision for the future of the beachfront and surrounding area.
It was shaped through an extensive programme of community engagement involving residents, community groups, schools, businesses and visitors. Its approach to community participation received national recognition and helped identify clear priorities for the beach's future, including a strong desire to enhance family facilities and create modern, inclusive play opportunities.
To help turn that vision into reality, Aberdeenshire Council secured £200,000 for a major refurbishment of the existing playpark.
St Andrews School pupils Freddie Noble and Molly Ferguson cut the ribbon with Cllr Doreen Mair
Earlier this year, local residents were invited to choose between competing design proposals, ensuring the final layout reflected the wishes of those who use the beach most often.
More than 250 votes were cast through a combination of online and face-to-face engagement activities, with the winning design progressing to construction.
The result is a welcoming and contemporary play environment which offers something for children of all ages and abilities while strengthening Fraserburgh beach's appeal as a destination for local families and visitors alike.
Further enhancements were also delivered by Aberdeenshire Council's Landscape Services team, including the levelling and turfing of key areas, installing extra safety surfacing, preparing ground for future expansion and reinstating the popular aerial runway equipment.
ISC vice-chair Cllr Isobel Davidson joined Fraserburgh and District councillors Doreen Mair and Ann Bell, along with Banff and Buchan area manager Angela Keith, for the unveiling
Fraserburgh and District councillor Doreen Mair, chair of the Banff and Buchan area committee, said: “I am truly delighted to see this exciting new playpark open for everyone to enjoy. I would like to thank the community for all their input and enthusiasm and we look forward to more collaboration as we develop the masterplan further. This project is a tremendous example of how listening to local people and involving them in decision-making can deliver real improvements which really do make a lasting difference. The Fraserburgh Beach Vision and Masterplan was built around the views and ambitions of the community and the new playpark is one of the first visible results of that work. We hope families and visitors will enjoy this wonderful facility for many years to come.”
Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, added: “The completed playpark demonstrates how community-led planning can successfully transform local aspirations into tangible improvements which enhance quality of life, support families and strengthen Fraserburgh's appeal as a destination for residents and visitors alike. The new playpark is a fantastic community asset and demonstrates what can be achieved when partners work together to deliver local priorities and create vibrant, welcoming public spaces.”
