Ayr Sensory Garden: Doonfoot pupils help with opening
The £1.4m project features a new underpass on Dunure Road, a former rail tunnel, which safely links pedestrian and cycle paths between Alloway and Burton, and the new sensory garden.
Pupils in primary five, six and seven classes were invited to take part in a competition to name the garden.
Primary five pupil Lucy Roberts’ winning name – Sense-Ayr-Ee – was voted the top choice by the judges who were impressed by the variety and standard of entries.
Lucy was presented with a book token by Councillor Bob Pollock, South Ayrshire Council, and teacher, Miss Rhagan Kerr and Depute Head, Fraser Baird, received 100 gardening kits on behalf of the school and 300 water bottles, one for every pupil.
Also situated on Dunure Road, the new sensory garden, which is open to everyone to enjoy, was officially launched with the unveiling of a plaque explaining the project background.
It features a wetland area, pathways, a board walk with a sensory route and planting that will stimulate visitors’ senses through touch, sight, scent, taste and hearing.
Councillor Bob Pollock, Economic Development Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council, said: “The garden is looking fantastic already and it’s only going to get better as nature moves in.
“Well done to Lucy and all the children and staff at Doonfoot Primary school who have really got behind the project.
“The garden is a great advert for sustainable travel and how it can not only help the environment but our own health and wellbeing as well.”
The Alloway to Burton Underpass Link project is just one of many projects underway to encourage Active Travel in Ayrshire.
Active Travel aims to encourage people to get out and about in their communities walking and cycling in preference to taking the car.
Aileen Herraghty, Grant Manager at Sustrans explained: “The underpass on Dunure Road will provide a safe and direct link that connects to the National Cycle Network Route 7.
“Users can now avoid crossing the A719, making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday and leisure journeys.”