Riverside Park, Glenrothes

Fife Council commissioned KOMPAN Scotland to be a part of Riverside Park’s regeneration which included new pathways, public facilities, a pump track and a new destination playground. The brief was open and Fife council were open to our suggestions as long as the park was inclusive, so children of all abilities are welcome and able to have fun with the playground equipment. Fife council received funding from the UK government to bring back local economy to the area, which went into improving their local hub, Riverside park. Inclusive playgrounds are in our KOMPAN DNA, we were up to the challenge, and we got to work!

After visiting the site and exploring the local area, we had to include hippos in our design. If you didn’t know, back in the 1970s, the town’s artist sculpted concrete hippos that are now dotted throughout Glenrothes. The hippos have since become a beloved town mascot and a key part of its identity.

Our local design team prepared a presentation that featured inclusive playground equipment and, in collaboration with the KOMPAN Design Studio, introduced bespoke features to reflect Glenrothes’s character. The main bespoke elements were the two hippos: the larger hippo is designed for older children seeking a challenge—to climb, explore, and spark their imagination. Meanwhile, the smaller hippo, “lurking” in the watery wetpour, was created to be fully inclusive, incorporating sensory features that cater to the needs and abilities of all children.

Since the completion of Riverside Park, the new playground has become a truly inclusive space right on people’s doorsteps. Where previously, families may have had to travel long distances to access an inclusive play park. What was once a tired area in need of a revamp has now been transformed into a vibrant community hub where all generations can come together and enjoy the space.

Since opening, many local schools have already visited the park during their playtimes, and we’ve been delighted to receive some glowing feedback from the toughest critics: “Amazing 1000/1000”, “Millions of fun!”, “I enjoyed the microphone!”