Formartine works schedules will bring life back into Aberdeenshire's parks and green spaces
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Councillors had the opportunity to discuss the proposed works programmes and available funding for various projects due to take place in the 2022-23 period at this week's meeting of Formartine Area Committee.
Amongst the proposed programmes on the table was landscaping, which includes parks and open spaces and cemeteries.
The Revenue Budget has allocated £5,699,000 to 'parks and open spaces', with a further £500,000 allocated as a one-off for 2022-23.
It is hoped that this one-off boost will allow a return to pre-pandemic maintenance standards after two difficult years, with intentions that improved maintenance will contribute towards improved wellbeing in the area.
In addition, the Scottish Government has awarded Aberdeenshire Council £308,000 from their Play Parks Renewal Fund.
Parks, beaches and sports fields across Formartine, including Balmedie Beach, Turriff Haughs and various locations in Ellon and Mid-Formartine, have all been scheduled for landscaping and maintenance work over the coming year.
Amongst the proposed work is resurfacing along Modley Burn, path repairs in the Haughs and McDonald Woods, new notice boards in Gordon Park and repairs to a shelter in the Haughs.
Money has been set aside for the supply of community bedding plants and wildflower seeds as well as native bulb planting and other projects which improve biodiversity while brightening up the settlements of Formartine.
Much work has also been planned for Haddo Country Park, including over £60,000 of essential maintenance and almost £110,000 of reactive maintenance, totalling over £200,000.
This includes £12,000 of structural maintenance work on the Pheasantry, £21,000 of path and road maintenance, £18,000 of landscaping, £13,000 of maintenance to the play area and tennis court and £11,000 of woodland maintenance.
Similarly at Balmedie Country Park over £60,000 of essential maintenance and over £75,000 of reactive maintenance has been budgeted with total work for the year anticipated to cost around £177,000.
This includes £6000 of structural maintenance to the toilet block, £10,000 of car park maintenance and £22,500 of boardwalk repairs.
Furthermore money has been allocated for resurfacing the overflow car park at Balmedie Country Park (£35,000) and part of Haddo's driveway (£36,500).
In play park maintenance, there are plans to replace swings in Cuminestown (£10,000) and a slide in Woodhead (£10,000), as well as the cableway in Turriff's Den (£15,000) and the multiplay in Balmedie's Eigie Crescent park (£20,000).
£220,000 has been allocated towards the construction of cemeteries - £100,000 for Auchterellon Cemetery and £120,000 for Turriff's New Cemetery.
While some issues were identified with the overall plans, councillors agreed with the proposals.
