Orkney’s first ‘natural play’ park opens today

Kirkwall’s newest outdoor play area — Summerdale Park — opens to the public today, Thursday.

According to the OIC, the park is the first of its kind in Orkney and focuses on “natural play”.

It incorporates the area’s natural landscape and uses local materials such as Orkney stone, along with wildflowers and tree planting, to create a setting for physical exploration and imaginative play.

The area, between Summerdale Drive and Quoybanks Crescent, has long been a play park for local children, but has been completely redeveloped as part of “Orkney’s Play Strategy”, which was approved by Orkney Islands Council last year.

The opening takes place at 11am today.