CHLDREN from Renton's Riverside Nursery had the honour – and the fun – of testing out new play equipment after a very welcome £10,000 facelift for a local park.

The Katherine Place play park hasn't had serious cash spent on it for years, and was specially chosen for major investment by the committee of the Cordale Housing

Association Community Environmental Fund.

And in glorious summer weather - with balloons and refreshments to help the party mood along - housing association chairwoman Margaret McCallion officially reopened the popular amenity, helped by local residents and their children.

The fund committee is made up of a majority of local people, and its grants have previously helped create a community garden at Renton's Waterside View, along with numerous improvements to common areas such as landscaping, roundabout and cul de sacs.

Cordale Housing Association has had a major impact in its area since it was registered in 1993, providing almost 500 new homes to replace poor housing and building a local health facility.

Two years ago it formed a partnership with Caledonia Housing Association, a move which it says has attracted investment into the area.

The work was carried out over a couple of months by a number of local contractors including AKzo Nobel, Brican Fabrication, Jupiter Play Specialists and West Dunbartonshire Council.

Cordale's estates team also invested many hours in transforming the park.

The aim of the Cordale Environmental Fund is to carry out environmental improvements said to be valued by local residents, and that make a difference in the community., and the Katherine Place park is reckoned a worthy recipient of the fund.

Past improvements funded by the Community Environmental Fund include the development of a community garden at Waterside View in Renton, enhancing the common seating area at the Independent Healthy Living Centre, Main Street, Renton along with numerous improvements to common areas such as landscaping, roundabouts and cul-de-sacs.

Margaret McCallion Chairperson of Cordale Housing Association said: “The Community Environmental Fund is important to Cordale Housing Association to allow us to enhance the communities we live in."

She added: "We are delighted to see the positive effect the fund has had and the joy the refurbishment of the Katherine Place Play Park has brought to the next generation of Renton residents.”

Cordale offers mainstream housing for families, couples and single people, as well as supported accommodation, sheltered housing and amenity and other specially adapted properties, including those specifically designed for wheelchair users.

It is run by a voluntary management committee, and its day to day activities are carried out by a paid staff team.