Partnership Effort Delivers New Trim Trail for Paradykes Primary Pupils

Pupils at Paradykes Primary School are now enjoying an exciting new trim trail—complete with an all‑weather wet‑pour safety surface—thanks to more than four years of dedicated partnership working between the school, Parent Council, pupils, ward councillors and Midlothian Council’s Neighbourhood Services team.

Pupil power

The project began when children highlighted the limitations of existing playground areas and called for more purposeful, engaging spaces to support active play. Working through the school’s P4–P7 Pupil Power Group, pupils redesigned the playground layout and created a video presentation for elected members, setting out their vision for a trim trail and explaining how it would transform their playtime experience.

Parents fundraised

With no available budget for playground upgrades at the time, Head Teacher Helen Reed approached the Parent Council to explore whether the school community could help bring the children’s ideas to life. The Parent Council then led almost four years of fundraising—supported generously by parents and the wider community—raising approximately £10,000 to fully fund the trim trail equipment.

Local councillors helped

As plans progressed, the school identified the need for an all‑year‑round wet pour surface, ensuring the equipment could be safely used without turning the surrounding area into the ‘mud bath’ that children had also raised as a concern. Ward councillors, Kelly Parry, Pauline Winchester and Russell Imrie, were approached and agreed to contribute around £8,000 from their discretionary budget, enabling the surface to be installed and completing the project.

Designed by council staff

The final stage involved Midlothian Council’s Neighbourhood Services hard‑landscaping team, led by David Magee, who worked closely with pupils to bring their design to life. The team—well‑experienced in installing similar play features across the area—were met with cheers and daily encouragement from the children as the trim trail took shape.

Year round facility

Head Teacher Helen Reed said: “This project is a brilliant example of partnership working at its best. Our Pupil Power Group drove the vision, our Parent Council and families worked tirelessly to raise funds, and our councillors and neighbourhood services colleagues helped us ensure the trail is safe and usable all year round. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved.”

Community pride

Parent Council representatives expressed pride in the community effort, noting that the project reflects what is possible when families, school staff, pupils and local partners unite behind a shared goal to improve opportunities for children.

Combined commitment

The new trim trail is already proving popular, offering pupils a safe, stimulating and long‑awaited space for physical activity and imaginative play—delivered through the combined commitment of the school community and its partners.

In the picture

Dressed in characters for World Book Day, pupils are pictured with ward councillors, Kelly Parry and Pauline Winchester at the front and Russell Imrie back right. Head Teacher Helen Reed is at the back on Cllr Imrie's second right.