Links news:
Grounds maintenance: The longer grass on the 'hairy hills' has been popular and has allowed a few wildflowers to flourish. Fife Council are amenable to leaving a longer grass strip alongside the railway wall to provide food and shelter from wildlife - a 'hedgehog strip' - and to stop spraying herbicide around trees and posts. The grass around trees can be left a little longer.
Public toilets: From spring 2023, the management of the east Links toilets was transferred from Links leaseholders to Fife Council direct management. Although the toilets were late to open in 2023, their management has been much improved. We have asked Fife Council to replace the east Links toilets but, so far, only an external refurbishment has been carried out (May 2024) with new signage added and a clear notice on the opening hours.
Water feature / splash pad: Fife Council delayed making a decision on replacement/refurbishment. However, the community made clear a wish to continue 'wet' play (a splash pad). Therefore, Fife Council were asked to look again at their proposals and at the Kirkcaldy Area Committee in February 2025 agreed to provide a completely refurbished / replacement splash pad.
Tree planting: In 2022, eight new lime trees were planted in the gaps along the Links edge to complete the tree line. The gaps resulted from tree felled years ago following Dutch elm disease.
Bins: Fife Council and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust arranged for damaged bins to be refurbished in 2022. Additional new bins were provided for that summer season. Many thanks to Fife Council for their work in litter collecting and bin emptying. In 2023, most of the existing Links bins were retrofitted with plastic 'seagull proof' screens. PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE GULLS!
Signage, picnic tables and bins: Unfortunately, applications for funding to the Coastal Communities Fund for additional seagull proof bins, wheelchair accessible picnic tables, and interpretation panels/signage was unssuccessful. Instead, Fife Council committed to providing new town centre signage, including at the Links. However, we are disappointed a year later to have had no progress from Fife Council on this (as of February 2025.)
