An Irvine primary has saw his dream turn to reality after he sent his home town play park plans to North Ayrshire Council in a letter addressed “Dear, Mr Councilman”.
Tojo O’Neill, a primary 5 pupil at Woodlands Primary, dreamt up the plans to fill a vacant space near the Vineburgh community centre.
He sent the letter, accompanied with his drawn up plans for the area, after the Vineburgh community centre encouraged him to do so.
After the letter was picked up, the wheels got turning and £5,000 of funding was made available by Connected Communities, and together with Streetscene, the installation began.
Speaking about the park: Tojo said: “I was in school and I was bored and I just though about putting a drawing to the council.
The park has been named after Tojo
“And then, after, it took a couple of months and they started building it, and I was quite impressed with myself.
“I was really happy about it.”
Council leader, Cllr Joe Cullinane, also spoke on the plans.
He worked closely with Tojo throughout the process and was delighted to see his vision become a reality.
He said: “Last year Tojo wrote me a letter addressed, ‘Dear Mr Councilman. Here’s my big plan for a new play facility at Vineburgh park’.
“We had a conversation with Tojo just to talk to him about his plans and why he wanted to see some of play facilities in the local area.
Tojo with council leader Cllr Joe Cullinane at the play park he helped design
“The council have then went away and got some of these new play facilities in for Tojo.
“And they’ve named it Tojo’s Trail.
“It’s been a really great project to work alongside young Tojo.
“I think he’s kind of proud of what he’s achieved here.”
This is a project Cllr Cullinane hopes to see more of in future, stating he wishes to continue to work with Tojo and other young people to ensure they get what they would like in the area.
The play area includes Kompan climbing and balancing equipment, as well as small football goals and a bike rack, which have been installed by KA Leisure.
Streetscene and council members are also hopeful they can expand the park more in future, including even more of Tojo’s ideas.
A heartwarming video was put together and shared online following the park completion, and can be viewed on the council’s Facebook page.
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