A Glasgow councillor has hit out at out at the Scottish Government and local authority chiefs accusing them of ‘failing families’ by not refurbishing playparks across a busy part of Glasgow
Election hopeful Eunis Jassemi says youngsters in Anniesland have been left with neglected facilities after new figures revealed that not a single Holyrood-funded refurbishment has been completed in the area – despite a Scottish Government manifesto pledge.
The SNP said it would renew every playpark when Scotland went to the polls in 2021 but information provided by a Freedom of Information request confirms that across Ward 12 (Victoria Park), Ward 13 (Garscadden Scotstounhill) and Ward 14 (Drumchapel Anniesland), zero playparks eligible for Scottish Government funding have been refurbished.
The figures also show that most of the play areas remain in a state of disrepair, with some not expected to reach a procurement stage until 2026.
In Ward 12 alone, four out of five facilities, representing 80 per cent, require repair or refurbishment. Across the wider Glasgow Anniesland area, the data shows that dozens of playgrounds remain in a poor condition as families continue to wait for improvements that were promised years ago.
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Scottish Government bosses say however they have allocated funding to council chiefs for the improvements and insist it is the responsibility of the local authority to deliver the project.
Council bosses confirmed that while funding was allocated, delivery of the projects have stalled due to delays in planning, procurement and capacity. They also say that they prioritise playparks for areas of high child poverty.
Mr Jassemi, who is currently a serving Glasgow councillor for Victoria Park and will stand for Labour in the Glasgow Anniesland ward at the upcoming Holyrood elections, says local people have been failed by the lack of progress.
He added: “Playparks are a lifeline for families across Glasgow Anniesland, but children here are being left with run down and neglected facilities because the SNP has failed to deliver on its promise.
“In 2021, the party made a clear commitment to renew every playpark in Scotland. Four years later, not a single Scottish Government funded refurbishment has been completed in Glasgow Anniesland. That is a broken promise.”
The data shared with The Glasgow Times shows the total number of playparks in each that are currently identified as requiring repairs or refurbishment, broken down by ward.
In Ward 12, 80 per cent have been identified as requiring repairs. In Ward 13, this figure is 70 per cent and in Ward 14, it is 69 per cent.
Councillor Jassemi says his constituents have been let down.
He said: “This is the SNP’s record after nearly two decades in government. Big promises in Holyrood, but no delivery for families on the ground. No urgency. No accountability. And no consequences for failure.
“Families in Glasgow Anniesland were promised investment. Instead, they have been left waiting while ministers focus on headlines rather than results.
“If elected as MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, I will fight to make sure our playparks get the investment they were promised, so every child in our area has access to safe, modern spaces to play and grow.”
We previously told how families on the Southside of Glasgow are campaigning for a "neglected" playpark to be refurbished and themed around the area’s rich history.
Parents for Play hope to raise £500,000 to transform the Seil Drive play area in Linn Park into an inclusive adventure playground.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have committed significant investment to the renewal of playparks, providing £35 million to local authority partners for over 1,200 play parks renewed since September 2021. In 2025-26 we are providing a further £25 million to help accelerate local authorities’ plans and make our parks welcoming, free and accessible spaces for all children to enjoy.
“Since the start of the renewal programme in 2021 Glasgow City Council has received more than £6 million to support the renewal of play parks.
“Local authorities identify playparks for renewal, engaging with families and children, and working to national principles developed between the Scottish Government and COSLA. Our £60 million commitment will be met and we estimate this will renew almost 2,000 play parks - including all parks assessed by local authorities as being in immediate need of renewal. This funding will improve play opportunities for children in Scotland, so that they can experience more play and better play.”
A spokesman for the council said play areas with high levels of child poverty are prioritised for refurbishment.
They added: “The £6.179m made available by the Scottish Government for play area renewal remains in the place and will be enhanced by developer’s contributions and other sources of funding.
“Our approach to investing in the city’s play areas was updated in late 2024 to ensure play areas with high levels of child poverty were prioritised for refurbishment.
“With 287 play areas in the city, developing a programme of design and refurbishment that aligns with the council’s commitment to tackling child poverty has been a significant undertaking.
“But projects across the city have been completed or are currently under development, providing enhanced play for children in some of the city’s most deprived communities.
“We have also employed four new landscape designers that will help to accelerate the roll-out of the play area refurbishment programme.
“In the Victoria Park ward, a contractor has been appointed to work on the pump track in Victoria Park. In Garscadden/Scotstounhill plans are in development for play areas in Knightswood Park and Daisy Park on Dumbarton Road.”
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