A project to upgrade parks and open spaces in Perth and Kinross has been praised by councillors.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s environment committee heard that more than 90% of people were either “very satisfied” or “fairly satisfied” with 11 out of 12 parks in the local authority area.
Councillors heard that the projects have included the £1.8 million upgrade of MacRosty Park in Crieff and the delivery of 135km of improved or signed paths in Perth and Kinross.
The committee was told of a planned £405,000 upgrade of council play areas and a proposal to spend £181,000 on improving parks in the 2014-15 financial year.
The park upgrades will include Braidhaugh Park in Crieff, where it was revealed there have been problems with drainage due to a “longstanding, serious, regular flooding problem.”
Andy Clegg, the council’s community greenspace team leader, said there had been “difficulties” in the park.
“The existing drainage system is not fit for purpose,” he said.
Councillors also heard that the local authority intends to spend around £40,000 to restore an eroded section of spillway at Turret Weir, Crieff.
Councillor Callum Gillies asked if the council had managed to save species of heather that had dominated the former Cherrybank Gardens in Perth. More than 900 varieties of heather were found there.
Mr Clegg said: “We tried to take cuttings from Cherrybank Gardens but would like to grow some heathers from scratch at the new heather gardens at Riverside Park, which covers both Bellwood and Norrie Miller Parks in Perth. Hopefully, this will make these gardens world class.”
The committee was also told that work will take place to refurbish the hard and soft landscaped areas at Bell’s Sports Centre in Perth.
In addition, plans are afoot for the major refurbishment of the Recreation Ground in Pitlochry, including the play area, entrance signs, and pavilion area and viewing terraces.
Councillors agreed to press ahead with all the proposals.