Skate park and bouldering and climbing area top Aviemore wish list
A skate park, bouldering and climbing area and multi-use building are the favoured options so far for a planned community park in Aviemore, a poll has revealed.
But there is still time for more village residents to have their say on ambitious plans for the community takeover and development of the land just off Dalfaber Drive.
An online consultation was launched by Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) last month and organisers have been delighted with the feedback to date.
So far there have been 389 responses with 88.2 per cent of those agreeing that the land should be taken into community ownership.
Director Mike Gale said there was overwhelming support for the community to take control of the site and press on with plans to transform the scrub land.
He said: “It’s really encouraging to see so many responses to the community consultation for the Dalfaber land so far.
“We will be closing this consultation this Monday (April 5), so we encourage everyone to get their responses in.
“Between AGCT and Aviemore Community Enterprise Ltd we will collate all the information together and then produce the results along with some plans and visuals for the community to comment on.
“So far the most popular items are a skate park, multi-use community buildings including community café, storage area, men’s shed and an outdoor bouldering, climbing area, grassed play, picnic area and community allotment.”
As the Strathy went to press the skate park had the most votes (277) followed by the bouldering area (211), multi-use community building (172) and multi-use flat sports pitch such as for basketball and other ball games (154).
One respondent said: "I would love a concrete skatepark to be built as we need some where for the next generation of shredders and future Olympians.
"A basketball court would be fantastic as it would bring a new sport to the community.
"I myself used to play basketball but stopped when I moved back to Aviemore, as there was no 24 hour court open to the public.
"I would love to see these two editions be built for the community."
Another supporter stated: "We need a skate park for kids to do something because there is nothing for them here at all."
With a third agreeing: "Definitely a decent skate park to rival Inverness. There has been a serious lack since Chevys was demolished."
The land next to the Cadet Hall is entrusted to Highland Council for community use. In the past, several proposals have been floated for the area, including a skate park. However, none have managed to come to fruition.
The trust has said it is keen to listen and work with residents in the Burnside area to make sure any development would not affect their quality of life.
There have been a lot of other additional ideas suggested for the site including an outdoor gym area, picnic and meeting spot, community garden and allotments.
One respondent said: "A peaceful landscape sensory area so folks with disabilities could feel safe in and if space allowed perhaps raised flower beds for people to to garden. Another idea could have an outdoor gym around the area."
Another responded: "A community garden with grassed areas and plots for multi-generational use. This would be bring all ages together sharing knowledge.
"It would also be a quiet green space for all to enjoy especially those without a garden. In other places where they have this produce produced is shared with those in need and sold to create a little funding."
But there have been some residents who are against the creation of a community park.
One of these people stated: "Too many of Aviemore's green spaces between existing development are disappearing. This area, especially between the path to Burnside and the call centre flats should be left or improved as habitat. Perhaps a walkway could be added but development is inappropriate."
Another respondent said: "Given all the other development going on along and off this road and its proximity to houses I feel it would be best if the land were to become 'managed wild land'.
"It could be used to promote and educate about some of the species locally and could remain a quiet spot for reflection and relaxation."
The survey can be completed by clicking here
