Manse Road Play Park to close temporarily for  redevelopment from the 8th of December

Orkney Islands Council is pleased to announce that redevelopment works will soon begin at Manse 
Road Play Park.

The play park will close to the public on Monday 8 December to allow preparatory works to take 
place, paving the way for Orkney’s first fully inclusive play area.

These initial works will include excavation, removal of old equipment, and site preparation ahead of 
the installation of new play structures beginning in January. The redevelopment project is scheduled 
for completion in March 2026, when the park will reopen to the community.

It is being delivered by the contractors, R S Cloustons and ScotPlay, who will carry out equipment 
installation and groundworks in the New Year. The project represents a significant investment in 
accessible play provision, ensuring that every child can enjoy safe, stimulating, and inclusive play 
opportunities.

Katell Roché, Orkney Islands Council’s Team Manager for Sports and Leisure, said:

" Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government and the Council’s Play Area Renewal 
Programme, I am delighted to bring Orkney’s first fully inclusive play park to life. We are proud to 
see this vision becoming a reality and look forward to welcoming families back to enjoy the new play 
park facilities in 2026 "

Gwenda Shearer, Chairs the Council's Education, Leisure and Housing Committee. She said:

“We understand it’s disappointing to see the Manse Road playpark temporarily closed, but this work 
is an essential step toward creating a fully inclusive space for all children in Orkney. These 
preparations will help us build a playpark that truly reflects our community’s values. Thank you for 
your patience and support as we move this project forward.”

The project has been shaped through collaboration with Inclusive Orkney, whose input has been 
vital in ensuring the design meets the needs of children and families across Orkney. 
Once complete, the redeveloped Manse Road Play Park will stand as a flagship facility for inclusive 
play in Orkney, offering a welcoming space for all children to play, enjoy, and grow