Two years on from the initial idea, and the grand opening of the long awaited Craigrownie Park in Cove is testament to what a small community can achieve.

Even the heavy summer showers were not enough to dampen the spirits of all those who attended on the day to be part of the official opening of the park and skate park and see the culmination of all the hard work, effort and support over the last two years.

The heavens opened along with the park, and after chairperson Mairi Benton thanked the people and organisations who made the park possible, there was a small countdown before children raced into the park.

The committee wanted the opening to be a community event, as the park is very much for the community by the community, and the public didn’t disappoint with between 100 and 200 people turning out through the course of the open day.

Chairperson Mairi Benton, said: “We were delighted with the turnout as we had feared the worst. We thought it might be a damp quid of a celebration and the rain would keep people away, but it didn’t and for that we are grateful and delighted.”

The children had lots to enjoy and spent the day trying out all the new activities including the skate park. There were also miniature ponies, a bouncy castle, face painting, hula hoops, races and a popular tug of war which brought out the competitive side of not only the children but the adults too.

The skate park was hugely popular with children on bikes, skateboards and scooters all playing together and testing out the equipment.

There to capture the imagination of the children on the day was the Navy bomb disposal unit who brought equipment for disposing of bombs underwater which the children thought was great.

Susie Will, who started up the Youth Café, opened the skate park, and then the samba band Rhythm Wave played some upbeat sunny tunes for everyone to enjoy.

Secretary of the committee, Veronica Ferguson, said: “It was a wonderful day and the park and skate park have been busy since.

“The children could not decide on a favourite piece of equipment, the zip wire was popular but so was the curly slide where the children played ‘jammy’ and piled up inside the slide before appearing one by one at the bottom.

“The parents commented on how much equipment there was and how varied it was, there was something for all ages, this design by Allplay certainly stood out from the rest.”

The committee, along with Murdo MacDonald and Alison McIlroy, went through a rigorous assessment of each park design, and the one picked was by far the most impressive.

Veronica added: “We are thrilled at the end result, and with Allplay, the company who designed and installed the park. We got great play value and great value for money. Come and see this impressive new park and skate park.”

Councillor Robert MacIntyre, who supported the project from the beginning was there to celebrate the opening and discuss future plans for the park. MP for Argyll and Bute Brendan O’Hara also found the time to attend and join in by celebrating the community achievement.

The committee extended a huge thanks to Councillor Maurice Corry and the MOD Community Covenant that helped fund both projects, Lions Club for their donation of £500, Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council for contributing £1000, Chariperson of the Community Council Nick Davis for attending the event and to Audrey Baird, Arlene Cullum and Alison McIlroy from Argyll and Bute Council.