A Mearns community is calling for assurances from Aberdeenshire Council that a popular children’s playpark is not under threat of permanent closure.
Members of the are working to raise £16,000 for equipment to improve the small play area, which nestles on the corner of High Street and Croft Road.
They have raised half their target but were dismayed when the area was fenced off without notice.
Group member Kirsty Matthews said there was “outcry” in the village when the park was closed off, sparking fears it would be shut for good.
She said: “Aberdeenshire Council has been conducting a playpark review for about three years to look at the needs of playparks.
“We have been working with the council on raising money to fund a new piece of equipment for one of our two play parks in the village.
“We are part way there but have always been asking where the playpark review is at – basically nowhere, is what we have been told.”
It subsequently emerged the local authority had closed the small playpark to allow repairs to be made to the equipment, but some fear it will never re-open.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We have closed off an area after a routine safety inspection found an issue with one of the pieces of play equipment.
“The unit will be either repaired or replaced.”