Published 07 July 2023
Families across West Dunbartonshire are being encouraged to come out and enjoy free family fun days taking place as part of the Council’s Cost of Living initiative.
The events, which will offer face painting, lawn games and small fairground rides free of charge, will take place in Christie Park, Dalmuir Park and Moss O’Balloch Park during the summer months, alongside prearranged Levengrove Park events.
It comes after a motion from Councillor Michelle McGinty, the Council’s Depute Leader and Chair of the cross-party Cost of Living Working Group, who wanted to ensure all families were able to spend quality time enjoying fun experiences over the school holidays.
The investment will allow the events to take place each year for the next four years and is in addition to £100,000 already committed to deliver the Council’s summer programme of activities.
Family fun days will take place at Christie Park on Monday 17 July, Sunday 13 August and Sunday 10 September.
In Dalmuir Park, family fun days will be held on Sunday 23 July and Sunday 3 September.
And in Moss O’Balloch Park, events will be held on Sunday 30 July, Sunday 27 August and Sunday 17 September.
Activities at Levengrove Park were already planned by groups utilising the initial £100,000 summer investment, and will take place on Friday 14 July, Wednesday 19 July, Wednesday 2 August, Saturday 5 August and Saturday 9 September.
All events will take place between 12pm and 4pm.
Councillor McGinty said: “The Council has been striving to support residents through the unprecedented cost of living crisis that has impacted so many. We know that many families are struggling with daily living necessities like energy and food costs, meaning that activities or a family holiday are out of the question.
“I am delighted that the cost of living working group have been able to support struggling families through the tough holiday period by helping them, regardless of their situation, to spend time having fun this summer.
“These free events will give everyone the chance to have some down time with their loved ones, as well as getting involved with their local community and enjoy our beautiful parks.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Vice Chair of the Cost of Living Working Group, said: “All children and families should get the chance to have fun together during the summer holidays. We have already introduced free swimming and gym access for children and young people in the holidays as part of supporting residents through the cost of living crisis, and that has proved to be extremely popular. I have no doubt the family fun day events will be the same, and I look forward to seeing families from all over West Dunbartonshire making the most of the free activities.”