An Aberdeen community has reached the halfway point in its campaign to transform a derelict eyesore into an attractive family park.
The city centre community council has already improved the disused area of Skene Street by creating an orchard and installing benches, play equipment to make it a more appealing place for mums and dads to take their youngsters.
And now the group is asking residents to help fund its £30,000 project to renovate the triangle of concrete opposite Gilcomston School and turn it into Skene Street Park.
The community council has already been granted planning permission to build new entrances, paths, extra green space and an outdoor gym at the site, which is currently empty.
The group’s chairman, Dustin Macdonald, chose to ask the community to support the project through a crowdfunding rather than asking for grants.
Mr Macdonald said: “We’ve had so much help from a lot of people so far.
“We’ve had lots of councillors, MSPS and our MP all give their support to the project, and we’re hoping to get more as well.
“If we manage to reach our target it means we’ll be able to find people to get the work done. Everything else is in place and ready to go, all we need is the funding.
“The idea of doing a crowdfunder was you can apply for grants, and there’s lots of other ways of getting money, but by doing this we get people on board, and we’ll complete our mission as a community.
“We’ve got around four weeks left, so there’s still plenty of time left for us.”
North-east politicians including Conservative MSP Ross Thomson, SNP MSP Kevin Stewart and the leader of Aberdeen City Council Jenny Laing have all pledged their support.
Aberdeen South SNP MP Callum McCaig, who is also behind the project, said: “We talk about getting families to come and live in the city centre, and if we’re going to do that you need places for them to go.
“This space here needs a lot more to really bring it to life, so if you can support it, please do as it’s very much worthwhile.”
The fundraiser has so far gathered more than £1,000.
To donate, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-skene-street-project.
