Coatbridge honours the parent who built a place to play

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-13 10:25 2 min read

A group of twelve people standing behind and sitting on a memorial wooden bench.

A memorial bench for Coatbridge community campaigner Mary Fagan has been unveiled at the play area she helped bring into being nearly 30 years ago.

The bench was dedicated at the Parent Action for Safe Play (PASP) project site on Wednesday, 5 August. Committee members, staff, relatives and local people attended to remember a woman whose work began with a simple local need: safe space for children to play.

A parent-led campaign that changed a corner of Coatbridge

Mary Fagan founded Parent Action for Safe Play (PASP) with other local parents in 1996. The group campaigned, raised funds and sought support for a new play area; it officially opened three years later.

Fagan remained PASP chairperson as its work grew beyond the original site. The organisation developed plans for a permanent community base offering out-of-school care, crèche provision and adult training opportunities for local families.

From play area to family support hub

The Children and Youth Development Centre opened in June 2006. North Lanarkshire Council said the centre has continued to adapt as the needs of families in the community have changed.

Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of Communities, said Fagan was a committed advocate for children’s right to play. She said Fagan and other residents promoted the cause, fundraised, held conferences on the value of play and approached potential funders to make the project possible.

PASP has since received national awards for its work. The organisation continues to provide community services while the new bench marks the place where Fagan’s original campaign took root.

Source: North Lanarkshire Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This article is based on North Lanarkshire Council’s report of the memorial bench unveiling and PASP’s recorded history.

Checks

Confirmed the bench unveiling date as Wednesday, 5 August.
Checked PASP’s founding year of 1996 and the play area opening three years later.
Checked the Children and Youth Development Centre opening date of June 2006.
Attributed comments about Mary Fagan’s work to Councillor Geraldine Woods.

North Lanarkshire Council Check local coverage