This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Glasgow gets first new park for 20 years
29/11/2005
Glasgow's first new urban park for twenty years is nearing completion.
Beardmore Park has been created from derelict waste ground in the east end of the city. It is due to be completed on December 19, 2005 and will contain relaxing garden areas, children's play areas, a performance space, skate park and community events area.
Environment Minister Rhona Brankin visited the park site today. She said:
"Access to quality open space is vital for people of all ages, providing places to relax, take exercise and for children to play.
"Beardmore Park is an excellent example not only of how derelict waste ground can be transformed into a vibrant, exciting community asset, but also of how local people can play a real part in planning and designing their local spaces to best meet their needs."
Led by Kelvin Clyde Greenspace, and designed by City Design Co-operative, the £800,000 project has involved the local community at every stage. Schoolchildren, young people, local residents and community groups were involved in the planning and the design. The Executive allocated £44,000 towards this project as part of a recent £1million funding to Greenspace Scotland projects throughout the country.
Seamus Connelly, Project Officer at Kelvin Clyde Greenspace said:
"This is one of the most depressed areas in Glasgow and although several million has been spent refurbishing local housing, there hadn't been any allocation for improving the outdoor space. Local people really had nowhere to go that was easily accessible. By taking their views on board at every stage and even involving local people as trainees on the project, we hope that we will have managed to create a space that will become a real focus for the community."
Ms Brankin's visit to Beardmore Park was as part of an invitation by Greenspace Scotland, the national umbrella body promoting the development of quality greenspace in urban Scotland. She also visited The Indian Trail at Possilpark and Royston Backlands, part of a Copperworks Housing Co-operative initiative.