Issue - 2 June 2021 See what your council's Parks Development Team, partners and community groups have been doing for your area this year.
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your natural health service
See what your council’s Parks Development Team,
partners and community groups have been doing
for your area this year.
Issue - 2
June 2021
Introduction
Welcome to the 2nd edition of Glasgow City Council’s
ParkLife newsletter.
The last 16 months has been a challenging time for all of us
as we strive to continue to go about our everyday lives in the
midst of a global pandemic. What Covid-19 has done is
bring in to focus the importance of our parks and open
spaces as areas that not only assist with our general health
and wellbeing but valued spaces that are appreciated and
provide the opportunity to meet friends and family in a safe
setting as well as providing the opportunity to exercise or
get closer to nature.
In addition, as the city hosts COP26 and seeks to deliver on
its commitments as part of the Climate & Ecological
Emergency Declaration our parks will play a pivotal role in
achieving our outcomes for the benefit of all whether
through food growing, additional tree planting, wildflower/
green connector projects, active travel routes or creative
play, the opportunities are endless.
I would like to thank our many community and Friends of
Parks groups, allotment associations and external partners
for their continued support of their much loved spaces. This
contribution is invaluable in ensuring not only that we get
things right but providing a sounding board for any
proposed improvements where possible. With the support of
our Parks Development team, additional groups continue to
emerge across the city and I would encourage you to get in
touch if you are interested in becoming involved. I hope
you enjoy this latest newsletter which highlights the breadth
of projects currently ongoing across the city by many
individuals, groups and organisations.
Stephen Egan
Head of Parks & Streetscene,
Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability,
Glasgow City Council
your natural health service
Contents Your Parks - Helping to Beat
Climate Change 15
Click on story below to go straight to this section.
Please note that Glasgow City Council is not responsible for the content
on any links to facebook groups or external partners pages within this Nitshill Community Greenspace 16
document.
Community Green Flag Winners 3 Repairs to Victoria Park Galleon 17
Community Participation 4 Best Fence in Glasgow 18
You Need Friends 5 Resident Robins 18
Queens Park Pollinator Park 6 Overnewton Square Play Area 19
Spaces for People 7 The Fascinating World of Algae 20
Dawsholm Park Cycle Paths 8
Glasgow Ramblers Winter 9
Challenge
Restoration of the Spiral Staircase
at Glasgow Botanic Gardens 10
Meet Our Team 11
A New Woodland for Glasgow 12
Mansewood Park and
Allotments 13
The Art of Restoration 14
your natural health service
Community Green Flag
Winners
If the ongoing Covid-19 This initiative is designed to Yorkhill Green Spaces
pandemic has taught us reach community groups in
anything, it’s how much we Glasgow’s less affluent areas and
value our local parks and engage people that have never Gorbals Rose Garden Orchard
greenspaces. considered managing or getting Group
Keep Scotland Beautiful are involved in their own precious
excited to launch a new spaces. We would encourage Gorbals Rose Garden Orchard
initiative in Glasgow which will anyone that is interested to get Group having a well deserved cuppa
help community groups to in touch and learn more about
improve the places that they live this exciting project.
in and care for - making sure
that everyone in the city can The project, supported by the
access safe, clean and inspiring People’s Postcode Lottery and
green spaces. Glasgow City Council, will see Gorbals Rose Garden
Recognising the important role community groups with an Orchard Group
that well-maintained parks and interest in the project accessing
open spaces play in better health workshops, forums and hands-
outcomes, we will be working to on support - building skills to
identify community groups that confidently cultivate their own
it can support and empower to green spaces and effectively
manage their local parks, green manage their parks to
spaces and outdoor places. international Green Flag Award
This project will complement winning standard.
the existing work being carried
out by Glasgow City Council Glasgow announced 7 new
and other voluntary projects in Community Green Flag winners
the city. in 2020 including:
Click Click
All the parks, green spaces and Friends of Linn Park
outdoor areas across Glasgow Here Here
provide an invaluable resource Friends of Castlemilk Park
to the city - creating a safe space
to play, to think, to exercise, to Alexandra Food Forrest
learn. Being able to access
quality green space is also vital Friends of Maryhill Park To visit Friends of To visit Yorkhill
in helping to tackle some of the
health and well-being
challenges we face.
Friends of Southern Necropolis Southern Green Spaces on
Alexandra Park Food Forest Necropolis on FB Facebook
Click Click Click Click Click Click
Here Here Here Here Here Here
To visit Friends of To visit Friends of To visit Alexandra To visit Friends of To visit Gorbals To get in touch
Linn Park on Castlemilk Park on Food Forest on Maryhill Park on Rose Garden with Keep Scotland
Facebook Facebook Facebook Facebook Orchard on FB Beautiful
3
Community Participation
Theresa Martin from our team
representing GCC with Green Health
Strategist Ian Mackenzie from NHS/
Greenspace Scotland hosting
international workshop on ‘Green
Health’ with Sean Kelly from NRS
Connecting Nature team
Again, our Parks Development From late 2019 and through close second. Our team, with the
Team are trail blazing recent times, there have been a help of the Glasgow Disability
innovative work developing series of outdoor ‘walk and talks’ Alliance Young Peoples Forum,
community participation gatherings, indoor and online The Village Storytelling Centre
within our services. ‘catch up drop in’ meetings. and support from COSLA and
From group participation we the NRS Connecting Nature
Pre pandemic, the Greater have 4 GCC (Glasgow City Team have designed and
Pollok Greenspace and Council) depts collaborating delivered an online workshop Sandy Paterson from our Food Growing
Woodlands Development Group and at least 5 community groups exploring ‘Accessibility – what team representing GCC with Dom Hall
was set up by our Community are now aware of each other and this means to everyone’, this was Co-founder National Park City, Sharon
Engagement Team in response have agreed to communicate specifically about what people Morgan National park City Schools
to evidence from previous better and support each other in Greater Pollok face when hosting international ‘National Park’
community consultation from when planning up and coming accessing greenspaces and workshop with Sean Kelly from NRS
the former Pollok 8020 project work. This is a fantastic woodlands. Being a total success, Connecting Nature team.
(which is now renamed G53 achievement and example of it was agreed that there will be
together and has adapted its good practise. follow up workshops and
purpose through the pandemic) discussions both online and
and the 2019 NRS There has been various topics of depending on restrictions, well as sharing our learning
(Neighbourhoods, Regeneration discussion in the ‘catch up drop outside in specific locations. with greenspace workers and
& Sustainability) Connecting in’ meetings, one of which was students studying community
Nature Team’s local stakeholder revisiting what the group think This community participatory democracy practises from
analysis exercise. the top priorities for the local approach from our team has national and international
community’s greenspace and been noticed within GCC and locations!
The group was set up to create
safe dedicated space and time
woodland development work
should be. The full group
we have been asked to speak at
and be representative of our
Click
for any Greater Pollok agreed that our team should Parks development team on the Here
greenspace and woodlands lead workshops about the GCC Social Recovery Taskforce.
community projects, volunteers themes once they are agreed We have represented GCC at an
and residents to share thoughts, and the design of the content of international ‘Connecting
resources, findings, support and the workshops should be in Nature’ conference as a key
learn from each other, set alliance with anyone who was speaker and workshop host
priority themes for development interested in contributing and about Green Health speaking To send an email if
work, build relationships and relevant key organisations. about the Greater Pollok
inspire more collaborative approach. Our talk had more you would like to
approaches to local greenspace Accessibility was named as the than 60 delegates from multiple be involved
and woodlands development number one priority with countries along with Sandy
work. woodland care creation as a from our Food Growing team as
4
You Need Friends
Trying to remember
the classroom
instructions for
preparing the trench
for planting
Students at the
Certificate of Practical
Horticulture Course
observing suitable
Covid distancing.
Our wonderful Friends of Horticulture course going. This Our next course is scheduled to
Botanic Gardens have been is a 10-day course, over ten begin at the end of August, and
trying to find ways to keep weeks, generally full day Covid permitting we shall be
going during the past year. Here Saturdays which is 80% practical able to have a full turnout.
is what they had to say; tuition and 20% classroom. On
completion of the course there We are now beginning to put
“As with most Friends activities is an examination with together our late summer/
during the Covid restrictions, successful students being winter programme of activities,
the Friends of Glasgow Botanic awarded a certificate by the especially an event to show how
Gardens have been in semi Royal Botanic Garden the Botanic Gardens everyday
hibernation. Edinburgh who validate the activities play a vital role in
course. observing and managing
However, we have managed to climate change.
keep our Newsletter going, even We have our own approved
increasing the online version as tutors and it is thanks to them The photos are some
well as mailing to those and of course the staff at the remembrances of coping with
members who do not have email Botanic Gardens that we were Covid restrictions during the
access, but we have missed our able to comply with the Covid 2020 Autumn CPH course in
normal gatherings for talks and guidelines for education work the gardens education area
visits to other gardens of interest for the autumn 2020 course. recently refurbished with a
to our members. With much guidance from all
involved we managed to
grant of almost £20,000 from
the Waitrose bags scheme.”
Click Click
One of our activities is accommodate all the sanitation, Here Here
education, whether supporting distancing, masks and spacing
the Gardens work with schools, in the classroom (the Hopkirk
special groups, and in particular building in the gardens).
those representing, e.g. refugees It did mean that we could only
based at the Maryhill centre. accommodate 12 students as
opposed to our normal 18 To get involved To visit the Friends
Most of these have been resulting in a very fine edge of
suspended over the last twelve financial success due to the visit the Botanic of Glasgow Botanic
months but we have made a reduced number of students.
great effort to keep the Gardens website Gardens FB
Certificate in Practical
5
Queens Park Pollinator
Park NRS tractor using a
BLEC stone burier
attachment to create Newly created seedbed
wildflower seedbed. with flagpole in the
Our Parks Development Team of landscapes and habitats with We see these mass plantings as This cultivates the soil background
have been working on the Camphill clothed in woodland the spring herald to the colour of to around 150mm deep
creation of Glasgow’s first that continues to the west side of the summer meadows that grow
Pollinator Park at Queens Park. the park and its boundary with up around them as their spring
The vision for Queens Park to Pollokshaws Road and Langside colour fades for another year.
be a Pollinator Park is one Avenue. To engage through collaborative
dedicated to the conservation & It is however, to the south and activities with a variety of groups
development of pollinator east that we see the from the Friends of Queens Park,
habitat for current & future opportunities open up for both Community Councils, local
generations. Project and subtle and more significant schools, as well as local and
intervention within the park changes and enhancement national environmental groups
will promote awareness and diversifying and increasing participating in biodiversity
understanding of the role of pollinator habitats by enhancements in the first
pollinators in achieving local & developing flower rich instance would be explored. The
global environmental meadows. Friends of Queens Park have
sustainability and showcase already contributed time and
pollinator projects that are a In a time when Glasgow has effort into assisting with the
model for citizens and declared both Climate and creation of a perennial
communities in Glasgow and Ecological Emergencies it is wildflower area with the park.
beyond. essential that as officers and
citizens, we review our green Parks are living landscapes and New seedbed close
Queens Park (approximately 148 spaces to see how they can bring there is an opportunity to to the flagpole area
Acres) was laid in design by Sir to an urban situation the manage them sympathetically for
Joseph Paxton and has gone resilience and vibrancy that can both people and wildlife and in
through changes over the years. support climate mitigation and doing so create a seasonally
The current COVID-19 reverse biodiversity decline as dynamic and ever-changing
pandemic has emphasised the well as, playing an integral role visitor experience where every
importance of our parks and in how a city like Glasgow visit would shed new light on
open space and the key role manages the resulting changes nature.
such locations play in our in weather patterns of
physical and mental wellbeing. unprecedented rainfall events. A total of around 1200m2 of
By re-imagining and creating a wildflower area was created April
focal point for Queens Park we Queens Park offers a template of 2021 using a partnership of Parks
can encourage residents to how subtle changes can bring Development officers and NRS
spend more time in the about major benefits for people (Neighbourhoods, Regeneration
outdoors. The opportunity to and wildlife in the City’s parks & Sustainability) operations, this
provide people with a place to and larger open spaces. area was sown with wildflower
walk, cycle, play or simply sit Recent surveys carried out by seed and will create a pollen
and enjoy the experience of GCC Biodiversity officers have source and a vibrant flower
nature buzzing around them in highlighted areas within Queens display for years to come, The
the heart of the city cannot be Park where a change in cutting Friends of Queens Park and Local
underestimated. regimes and enhanced planting Councillor assisted with the seed Did you know that the South
could contribute, not only to the sowing, this was following up Eastern edge of Queens Park
The rationale for designating local environment but to the from planting spring flowering was the site of the Battle of Click Click
Queens Park as a Pollinator Park overall ambitions of the city. bulbs in Autumn 2020 in the
is in support of not only the park.
Langside fought on 13th May
1568
Here Here
variety of butterflies and other In such a proposal there is
invertebrate species to be found always the aspiration to extend A further 35000 bulbs and 6000
there but also to provide the the season of interest and ensure wild flower plants will be ordered
local community with the that there are food sources for and planted on steep sided slopes
knowledge that this is a special early season pollinators and in by NRS operations in this park in
place. doing so the opportunity exists Autumn 2021. To view GCC To visit the Friends
When we look closely at Queens
to introduce the mass planting
daffodils and other spring
information about of Queens Park on
Park and its unique topography,
we see that it is already a series
bulbs, in partnership with the
local community.
Queens Park Facebook
6
Spaces for
People
Contractors fill
New planters at new planters with
George Square top soil
Pop-up cycle routes that friendly streets’ are now in place consultation seeking views on Spaces for People measures to
highlight active travel as an including Kelvin Way, the infrastructure delivered and recommend for retention, we’ll
attractive, viable choice for Dennistoun, Waverley Park whether any of it should be review all survey responses as
essential journeys as well as (Shawlands) and Pollokshields. retained, closed on 20 June after part of a monitoring and review
exercise, have also been These projects aim to make being live for 8 weeks. The process agreed with Sustrans
implemented. neighbourhood streets calmer, council wished to gather Scotland which will include the
and create additional space for opinions on the measures appointment of an independent
City Centre: walking, wheeling and cycling. delivered, as much of the consultant to consider the
A significant amount of road School Car Free Zones: infrastructure has the potential infrastructure delivered and
space was reallocated for The council has also expanded to help deliver other outcomes make recommendations on
Alexandra Parade walking and wheeling at the the number of School Car Free unrelated to the pandemic such which should be kept.
Primary School in start of the pandemic in Zones. These zones are designed as:
Dennistoun Merchant
City anticipation of a gradual to prohibit cars and other It is proposed that this
lessening of restrictions. Given vehicles from driving up to • encouraging more people independent review will take
the COVID-19 restrictions have school gates between 8.30am to switch to more place in the summer and a
lasted longer than originally and 9.15am and then 2.30pm sustainable ways of report presented to the City
anticipated, some of these and 3.15pm each weekday, travelling such as Administration Committee
measures were recently during term time; leaving extra walking, wheeling or thereafter.
removed to allow a focus on space for walking, wheeling and cycling
delivering temporary cycling. • supporting businesses by Christine Francis, Head of
infrastructure where it’s most providing more space for Technical Services at NRS said,
needed and to improve its look Improved Access to Parks and people ‘This project has been a real
and feel, with some measures Open Space: • improving air quality team effort with Spaces for
now replaced as required with We will be increasing signage and reducing carbon People and Parks colleagues
planting, seats and attractive within our parks and providing dioxide emissions working in partnership with
street furniture. Temporary wayfinding on routes to help • improving road safety Sustrans to create environments
footway widening will remain ease physical distancing, along • improving health that not only keep us safe but
in situ around our main with vegetation clearance to encourage active travel and
transport hubs and busier bus remove obstructions on public Before deciding whether to go getting outdoors.’
George Kelvin Way stops, however further measures footways. through the statutory legal
Square may be needed elsewhere as and processes necessary to make
when restrictions are Increased Pedestrian Priority at measures permanent, survey
anticipated to ease, and footfall Junctions: responses will be used to help
Spaces for People has delivered short-term physical distancing starts to increase. An early Spaces for People the council better understand
measures across Glasgow to suppress COVID-19 and assist with the
city’s strategy for economic recovery. Larger style planters and
intervention saw the need for
pedestrians to use the push
public feeling about Spaces for
People projects, and any that
Click
A key part of delivering more space in an attractive and greener mature trees are now in place buttons at crossings eliminated people wish to see retained or Here
way, has been the design and planting out of street planters across around George Square to green to reduce the risk of spreading removed. Feedback from
the city by Parks Development and NRS (Neighbourhoods, the space as well as restrict the virus. This popular measure survey respondents on which
Regeneration & Sustainability) Queens Park Nursery. vehicle movement following on which is now in operation at measures have worked well, and
Keeping People Safe and Supporting Business Recovery from the installation of recycled over 50 sets of lights is being which perhaps less so, will also
Spaces for People has introduced a vast array of temporary wooden planters at Merchant rolled out more widely be taken on board by the
measures across the city to provide additional space for walking, City. Complimentary work is throughout the city. council to help shape future For more
wheeling and cycling. We have widened footways at pinch points in also shortly expected around St active travel infrastructure
our city centre and neighbourhoods to facilitate safer pedestrian Vincent Place and Queen Street. planning. information on
movement and easier access to shops, businesses, community People Friendly Streets: Future Work and Evaluation:
facilities and public transport hubs. Schemes to create ‘people An online Spaces for People When determining which Spaces for People
7
Dawsholm Park
Cycle Paths
Glasgow City Council has been The project was led by our
investing heavily in the Landscape Design team.
restoration of Dawsholm Park in Lucinda Parish, Landscape
Maryhill, steadily improving Design Assistant Manager, said
the park in time for its ‘We are really happy with the
centenary year in 2023. outcome and it’s great to see the Contractor Mr Boyd Wylie
Phase three of the regeneration routes being used already. The and NRS Designer Ms
of this lovely park was the design involved some intricate Lucinda Parish check the
creation of an Active Travel calculation of the levels for each Boys and their
path levels toys…
Route with two new cycle paths, path to ensure we were creating
each being 250 metres long x 3 a space and route which was
metres wide – some 1,500 accessible.
square metres of new cycle path
being created. Works started in November
2020 and both paths were
This vital link is the latest piece completed on schedule by the
in a jigsaw which ensures that end of March 2021.’
Kelvingrove park, Glasgow
Botanic Gardens and Dawsholm
park are connected as a linear
walk / cycle ride.
The developed route will allow
user to get out of the city and
view nature and greenspace on
their doorstep.
This is part of our ongoing
objectives of promoting and ‘Gosh, it’s like an
enhancing our city’s natural autobahn’ said one
resources including public delighted cyclist
parks.
The path edges were ‘Old school’ contractor
graded with soil and raking hot asphalt before
then seeded with roller finishes levelling
wildflowers the job
Click
Here
To view GCC
Our team member
Dennis McCue loving The flock of Parakeets in
information about
life on a roller
machine
Dawsholm Park were
interested onlookers
Dawsholm Park
8
Group of ramblers on The waterfall in
top of Cathklin Braes, Linn Park LNR
at the highest point of
Glasgow
Socially distanced
tea break at Pollok
House
Glasgow Ramblers
Winter Challenge Walking along new
path at Hamilton
Claypits LNR
During lockdown there were to Darnley. As individuals they the city of Glasgow from Linn
many groups trying to find new have been to places with views Park, through Court Knowe,
ways of keeping in touch and of the distant hills from four Kings Park, Castlemilk Park,
getting outdoors. The Glasgow trig points – in Linn Park, Fernbrae Meadows, up over the
Ramblers were one of these Maryhill Park, the highest point Cathkin Braes, Netherton Braes,
groups and found a fantastic on the Cathkin Braes and one Holmbyre Woods and back to Walkers admiring
way to keep going through some hidden on a slope above Linn Park. The waymarking the famous swathes
tough times. Carmunnock Road. came to a halt because of the of daffodils in
Individually we walked all of pandemic but the group have Ruchill Park
Here’s what they had to say; Glasgow’s twelve LNR’s (local taken the opportunity to
‘Being obliged to stay within the nature reserves). produce a leaflet to be published
boundary of the city gave many as soon as there are markers
Glaswegians a great opportunity There was a strong feeling that with arrows to show the
to discover and explore many of Glasgow’s parks have direction to walk.
greenspaces close to home. been much enhanced by the Click Click
When group walks were work being done by many A new member who has lived in
suspended, Glasgow Ramblers Friends of Groups taking the city since March 2020 said Here Here
set their members a challenge to control of their greenspaces. “We are so glad we moved to St Thenue mural in
walk all the parks in Glasgow. Glasgow Ramblers now have a Glasgow. What an amazing time the East End from
Lists were drawn up and within bank of great circular walking we have had walking and Calton Weavers
two months they had walked routes for walk leaders to share. discovering all the parks and Burial Ground
through more than 105 parks. These link parks with green the rich heritage!”’
What hidden gems they found, corridors, riverside paths, canal For more Info on To send an email to
from Possil Marsh to Castlemilk walkways, old railways and
Park, Hogganfield Loch, former golf courses. One of the Glasgow the Glasgow
Cardowan Moss to Knightswood
Park, Trinley Brae and Tollcross
these walks is the Magnificent
11, an eleven mile walk within
Ramblers group Ramblers group
9Restoration of the Spiral
Staircase at Glasgow
Botanic Gardens
One of the hidden treasures of restoration was essential, as
Previous condition the Glasgow Botanic Gardens is despite its poor condition, the
– treads educed a lovely cast iron Spiral Staircase 135-year-old spiral staircase
by James Boyd in the Main remains an integral part of the
Range of glasshouses. The Palm House.
staircase stands approximately To this end, Parks Development
Previous condition – 8.5 meters high and remains a Section of NRS (Neighborhoods,
corroded central very fine example of filigree Regeneration & Sustainability)
spindle ironwork. drew up a specification to
Previous condition –
staircase closed due to restore this vital piece of
dilapidated staircase in This is the original cast iron Glasgow’s heritage on behalf of
need of repairs spiral stair that provides access the City Council.
to a high-level perimeter
walkway in the Palm House, The project began in 2020. the
from which tall plants can be entire spiral staircase had to be
Previous condition – tended, the roof ventilators can carefully disassembled and
cracks in the main be opened, and from which the taken away to a contractor’s yard
post sprinkler-type watering system for restoration, including a new
is suspended. core, replacement treads and
extensive repainting.
Given that James Boyd was an Fully
iron founder as well as Unfortunately, the timescale for restored
glasshouse builder, it is likely the repairs was badly affected staircase
that he manufactured the parts by the two spikes in Covid 19, as
for the spiral stair, making it working in the confined spaces
over 135 years old. of the workshop and back at the
main range was often illegal.
Unfortunately, the staircase had
become dilapidated due to high Despite these setbacks the
levels of humidity and lack of Staircase was eventually
regular re-decoration. The completed in March 2021 and
condition of the central spindle the lovely restoration is well
and the sectional posts caused worth a visit.
great concern as there was
evidence of large-scale
corrosion. A sympathetic
Replacement Click
spars ready to be
attached
Here
To find out more
Restored Fully about Glasgow
treads on
staircase
restored
staircase
Botanic Gardens
10Meet Our Team Cath at Linn Park Local Nature Reserve.
There are no water voles here but there is Glasgow’s unique water voles have featured on
lots of wildlife and the biodiversity team BBC Springwatch and The One Show among
have helped create and manage wildflower others with new filming taking place this year.
meadows in the park. Here is Cath, local resident Jeanette Kelly and
Our 3 biodiversity officers work We’ve been hearing about a voles. Grassland water voles are local wildlife filmmaker Elizabeth Penman, all
within the Parks Development species unique to Glasgow -tell exactly the same species as the working together to promote water voles, with
Team. Glasgow City Council, us more. wetland dwelling animals and a BBC film crew behind.
and all its officers, have a legal all of them together are part of Volunteers from
duty to further the conservation Even though there are over the one large population. Seven Lochs have
of biodiversity. The emphasis is 6000 different species in the been enhancing water
on partnership working and City, there is one species that The discovery of this large vole habitat in Water vole
Glasgow’s Local Biodiversity takes up most of my time. The population living in an urban Ruchazie by planting information in
Action Plan which was North East of Glasgow is home area away from water is unique wetland wildflowers Cranhill Park.
produced by a range of to a unique nationally in itself but it is even more such as Marsh Designed by local
organisations including the significant population of water important because water voles Marigold shown here. schools as part of
Council, RSPB Scotland and voles. across the UK have declined Thousands of the Water Voles in
NatureScot, as well as smaller dramatically. This urban wildflowers have been the City project.
local organisations such as The legally protected water vole biodiversity success does bring a planted throughout
Glasgow Natural History was always known to be present unique range of challenges to the area to create
Society. in Glasgow, but it appeared to be balance the protection of water colourful, wildlife
This Local Biodiversity Action mostly restricted to slow moving voles and enable urban renewal. rich grasslands,
Plan sets the priorities for water courses at the edges of the GCC has joined forces with the wetlands and
biodiversity in the City, as part city. University of Glasgow, woodlands.
of our commitment to halting NatureScot, The Conservation
global biodiversity loss. Imagine my surprise when my Volunteers (TCV) and RSPB
team got a call from Scotland to help deliver the
So, what does a Biodiversity Environmental Health in 2008 National Heritage Lottery Dr Dominic
Officer do? about some animals in funded Seven Lochs Wetland McCafferty, University
Garthamlock over 1km from Park - Water Voles in the City of Glasgow, is
Meet Cath Scott, Natural water. After a lot of head- Project. surveying water voles
Environment Officer scratching they were confirmed And to think, that before I in Garthamlock. The
(Biodiversity and Ecology) who as water voles, but it was very started working for Glasgow University of Glasgow
has worked for the Council for confusing indeed. In the UK, City Council, I had never seen a have carried out a
over 20 years. water voles are very much water vole! range of research to
‘People are often surprised associated with water as the find out more about
about the variety of wildlife that name suggests but these animals our unusual water
can be found in a city. There are were behaving fossorially voles. We now know
currently over 6000 species (which means adapted to Grassland water vole in a Glasgow park. that the highest
recorded in Glasgow, so my job digging like a mole) and were Grassland water voles spend more time recorded density of
is very varied. One key principle living in long grass. underground, especially in the spring water voles in the UK is
of nature conservation is to when grass is shorter, and they create in Cranhill Park and
focus on habitats and Once we knew about this small ‘vole hills’ of excavated soil. Photo © we now have lots of
connectivity to protect and unusual behaviour, surveys Lorne Gill / NatureScot. information about
enhance as wide a range of carried out by the team and the their habitat needs.
species as possible at the same Council’s Countryside Rangers
time. started to include grasslands
and more and more sites were
This involves working with found. We have come a long way
colleagues to ensure planning since that first encounter.
protection through the Fossorial water voles have now Click Click Click
designation of a range of been found in long grass
protected sites, which currently throughout the north east of Here Here Here
numbers nearly 100, design and Glasgow from Robroyston Park
implement habitat creation Local Nature Reserve to the
projects in parks and edge of the city including the
greenspace, survey and monitor Seven Lochs Wetland Park and
biodiversity to assess success some areas in North
and promote the amazing range Lanarkshire. They are found in This artwork was produced For more To find out more To view the LBAP
of wildlife in our city, through long grass in parks, road verges, by a pupil at Avenue End
events and environmental derelict land and even in the Primary School which has Information on about Biodiversity Local Biodiversity
water voles in the school
education.’ occasional garden and are now
referred to as grassland water grounds. Water Voles Action Plan
11A New Woodland for
Glasgow
This combined integral open Over 100 Glasgow schools will
space will provide better habitat also have the opportunity to
for wildlife and attract plant many oak trees later this
pollinators that are vital. The year to help create this new
woodland will also create woodland that will also become
natural absorption for harmful an outdoor educational hub.
carbon from the atmosphere
and contribute to Glasgow’s The funding for this new
Fields at Cart & Kittoch efforts to tackle the climate woodland was provided through
to be planted with 48,000 emergency. the Scottish Forestry grant
trees scheme.
The overall intrinsic value and
importance of trees are second Oak Sapling
to none when it comes to their
natural ability to absorb carbon,
which travels through the trees
transport system and merges to
create oxygen that is released
back into the atmosphere to
sustain all human and other
animal life.
Consultations have been carried
out throughout the process with
the appropriate government
bodies and members of the
public from surrounding areas
including Carmunnock, who
are keen and very pleased to be
involved with the Cart & Kittoch
project as they acknowledge the
multi-purpose benefits green
space provides.
A new native woodland the size of 60 full size football pitches is being created in
Glasgow with approximately 48,000 young trees planted on former pastureland on the Oak Acorn to
southern edge of the city. This will provide surrounding communities with healthy grown tree
and natural outdoor greenspaces for everybody to enjoy.
Backed and managed by Glasgow City Council in partnership with the Green Action
Trust, the project will see ten different species of native trees planted across 40
hectares, near to Carmunnock.
Douglas Worrall from Green Action Trust had this to say
“Green Action Trust are delighted to be developing a further phase of new woodland at
Click Click Click
Cart and Kittoch on behalf of Glasgow City Council. Once completed we believe it will Here Here Here
be the largest new native woodland planted by Glasgow City Council for a generation.
It will create a woodland habitat connection between Cart and Kittoch SSSI woodland
and Cathkin Braes delivering significant environmental and social benefits for
Glasgow. We are also very excited to be supporting the Lost Woods in their plans to
involve Glasgow’s Primary Schools in this project.”
To find out more To view the GCC To view the
about the new Council Parks Glasgow Open
woodland project Vision Spaces Strategy
12Accessible Growing Space &
Mansewood Park
Orchard Vision
and Allotments
The Parks Development Team holders struggle to maintain growing, in supporting
at Neighbourhoods, their plots and have had to make environments that can help
Regeneration and Sustainability that heart-breaking decision to address the Climate and
in collabaration with give up their plots and more Ecological crisis, that meet the
Mansewood Allotments important to give up that side of changing needs of city and its
Association have been their social life. This is why it’s residents human and otherwise.
developing additonal allotment so important to have these It’s been a great project to be
plots at Mansewood Allotments facilities” involved with and I look
alongside works in the park to forward to working with the
improve footpaths, increase The park is the focus of food growing community and
pollinator friendly wildflower enhancements to introduce a other city residents to ensure
planting and increased foraging diverse range of native trees and Glasgow remains Our Dear
opportunites within the park shrubs along with many Green Place.”
itself. wildflowers that will support a
As part of Henry’s croft farm wider range of pollinating
the orginal 150 allotment plots insects, butterflies and birds.
were developed in 1951, however These works are supporting
as people’s interest changed, the Glasgow City Council’s adopted
site reduced to 20 plots in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan
1990’s. In 2011 investment from and Pollinator Policy and
GHA (Glasgow Housing further supports addressing the Under Wildflower Strips, shrubs
Association) and GCC (Glasgow designated Ecological Construction and Native Trees
City Council) lead to a further Emergency.
20 plots being created with
other improvements to the site Wildflower strips have been
too. planted throughout the park
These works have been along with a mix of native trees
delivered as part of our response and shrubs all of which will
to the Climate and Ecolgical provide improved shelter and
Declaration and to the food sources for the ecosystems
increasing demand for food within the park, it may even
growing and are a welcome encourage in others species too. A small number of trees have
addition to a well used site and been removed to
park. The site and surrounding park accommodate the allotment
The works have provided an; are now well set to meet any extension, these are being
accessible growing area, 18 future challenges replaced by the planting of
additonal allotment plots, native species. Some of the
several hundered metres of Iain Sutherland, Chairperson of trees have been felled after
improved pathways and an Mansewood Allotment inspection as it was noted that
orchard. Association added: they were displaying signs of Improved Footpaths
However the improvements are “Over the last year we have all infection. The trees lost have
not only for the benefit of seen how important it is to been compensated for and
humans but other species that socialise and to also stay safe; bolstered by the planting of
have a home in the park too. allotments are the ideal places to additional native species trees
Mansewood Allotment do that. So, what about the within the Park
Association Chairperson Iain future? Well no one knows that,
Sutherland had this to say:
“Mansewood has always prided
but I do know that whatever it
holds, Mansewood will rise to
Click
itself on being embedded within the challenge” Here
the local community. We have a
community plot that is used by We’ll leave the last word to
a local school and the Sandy Paterson Assistant
community centre so to have Manager Food Growing who
this opportunity to expand and had this to say. “Projects such as
work with more groups able this being delivered in To find out more
bodied and disabled is just great; Mansewood Allotments in
it’s something that we are partnership with local groups about allotments
passionate about. Over the years demonstrate GCC’s commitment Additional Allotment Plots and food growing
we have seen some of our plot to meeting the demands for food
13The Art of Restoration
A new community artwork £2million contract to restore owned by the Bishops of
celebrating the 500-year long Provan Hall. Glasgow, then as home to
history of Provan Hall has been wealthy families and gentleman
installed in Auchinlea Park. The Following restoration, the farmers, and now as a hub for
mural was created by digital Provan Hall Trust will manage community activities.
artist Janie Nicoll using original this fantastic old building as a
works produced by the local unique setting for local people The restoration, which is funded
community, including pupils and visitors to learn about by National Lottery Heritage
from local primary schools and Glasgow’s medieval past. The Fund, Scottish Government,
participants from the Saturday Trust – which brings together Historic Environment Scotland
Art Club, Nu Gen and Art the Friends of Provan Hall, local and Glasgow City Council, will
Mural artist Janie Factory at Platform in community organisations and see a new chapter added to
Nicoll Easterhouse. Commenting on the council – will deliver a Provan Hall’s long and
the 30m long mural Jenny wide-ranging programme of fascinating history. Provan Hall
Crowe, Arts Manager at education activities and events. and Auchinlea Park will also be
Platform said “I am delighted Ian Monteague, chair of the developed as a new visitor
Did you know that the Seven that local residents from a Provan Hall Trust, said “It’s gateway to the Seven Lochs
Lochs Wetland Park is Scotland’s number of Platform’s regular fantastic to see the restoration Wetland Park, an ambitious
largest urban heritage and nature groups were able to work works now underway at Provan partnership project to create a
park. At over 16 sq km it spans the creatively with Janie to bring Hall, and a welcome boost to the new, large scale heritage and
real life and humour to the area. The restored building will nature park straddling the
Glasgow City / North Lanarkshire mural for the Provan Hall allow the Trust to develop a Glasgow City / North
council boundary between restoration works. Provan Hall is wide-ranging programme of Lanarkshire council boundary
Easterhouse, Coatbridge and an amazing asset for the local activities that we hope will between Easterhouse,
Stepps – see www.sevenlochs.org area and Platform is incredibly attract both local people and Coatbridge and Stepps.
proud to be part of the visitors from across Scotland.” Councillor Maureen Burke,
Community Management Provan Hall, which sits in what Chair of the Seven Lochs
Trust.” is now Auchinlea Park, has Partnership said “The
witnessed over 500 years of installation of this new
Installation of the artwork change in the surrounding community artwork and the
marks the start of a major landscape. The buildings are restoration of Provan Hall is a
restoration of one of the oldest shrouded in mystery and many testament to the dedication of
surviving buildings in Glasgow. aspects of its history are still not many local volunteers who have
Thanks to a unique partnership known, including whether it is been working towards its
between Glasgow City Council, Glasgow’s oldest surviving restoration for over 10 years. Its
local community organisations building. This is one of the restoration will see another
and National Trust for Scotland, questions the restoration works crucial part of the Seven Lochs
Provan Hall is set to become a might help answer. What is clear Wetland Park come into being.”
unique new heritage visitor is that Provan Hall is an
attraction, and in January this important part of Glasgow’s
year the council awarded a heritage, first as part of lands
Artist Janie Nicoll with representatives from
Provan Hall Trust, Platform and Seven Lochs 14 The new muralRiver Kelvin Elmvale Row – Meadows,
grass reinstatement, footpath and tree
replacement planting
Your Parks - Helping to
Beat Climate Change
The Parks Development team With climate change in mind, water network. Project meetings
have been working with Scottish parks and greenspaces in and site visits along pipeline
Water over the last 5 years to Glasgow are contributing routes are being organised to
support their multimillion- significantly to our help reduce impact of work on
pound water and wastewater preparedness for climate parks users and park
investment projects across the mitigation and adaptation by infrastructure. The Parks
City of Glasgow to improve providing land for Scottish Development team is currently
water quality and alleviate Water storm attenuation tanks in discussion with Scottish
flooding. and combined sewer overflows. Water to agree to a series of
The Parks Development team legacy projects as part of
Most of these projects including have worked closely with reinstatement work in parks for
Shieldhall Tunnel and the Scottish Water to deliver community benefit and
Ayrshire and Glasgow stakeholder communications wildlife.
Resilience Project, involve and engagement to reduce the
major engineering works. impact in the areas where these Our work with Scottish Water
Neighbourhoods, Regeneration projects are being delivered. hasn’t been without challenges
and Sustainability (NRS) Parks Effective collaboration between as with any major partnership
Development team has been Scottish Water and the Parks but the team can confidently
working effectively in Development team has led to say, it has been by and large
partnership with Scottish Water improved access for the health successful as we have all focused
to reduce impact of works on and wellbeing of park users, on the bigger picture of making
park infrastructure and park increased habitat for Glasgow a resilient, vibrant and
Festival Park - New users. This has allowed projects biodiversity, tree replacement healthy city giving local people
entrance gate with to be carried out in time and planting across the city and a say in the way we use our
path without significant delays. As a listening to concerns from park parks and greenspaces.
result, Scottish Water has been stakeholders.
able to invest in parks
improvement during land The Parks Development team is
reinstatement works. currently working with Scottish
Improvements include a new Water on the Glasgow Resilience
bridge at Tollcross Park to allow Project, which is the final phase
access to Scottish Water of the Ayrshire and Glasgow
infrastructure, drainage Resilience Project. This multi-
improvement at Milton Park, million pounds project which
games court at Queens Park, will connect the Ayrshire
new entrance gates at Festival network to the water network
Park, meadows at Elmvale Row systems in Greater Glasgow will
and a new car park at Dams to help provide greater security of
Darnley Country Park. supply to customers and
minimise disruption to the
Kelvingrove Park
– Information for
Park Users Click
Here
To find out more on
Scottish Water’s
River Kelvin Resilience Project
15Lots of nice herbs beginning to
Nitshill grow in a raised bed in Nitshill
Community Garden
Community
Greenspace A keen volunteer tidying up a busy
raised bed in Nitshill Community
Garden
There are many community greenspace in Nitshill. These
greenspace groups in the city sessions have also been
who are not a ‘Friends of ‘group supported by other community
yet or who have chosen to organisations like Urban Roots,
operate as their own type of Greater Pollok Volunteers and
group. the Noble Arts Boxing Club.
The greenspace around Nitshill
Theresa, Alex and Carol from is vast and has been a topic of
our Parks Development Team conversation over the years with
support the ‘Friends of ‘, the local community and
greenspace and blue space Glasgow City Council.
groups across the city.
Nitshill Greenspace Garden Now, with this new Nitshill
group have been working away, Greenspace Garden group and
one step at a time starting in the support from our Parks
small space outside Noble Arts Department and other Glasgow
Boxing Club, which is a City Council depts, there are
community hub for the area. more community engagement Two volunteers tidying up a
The small group of volunteers activities on the horizon with raised bed in Nitshill
teamed up with the boxing club the aim of setting priority Community Gardens
to apply for local area themes of development and
partnership funding back in exploration of ideas and setting
2018 and since then have up a ‘Friends of’ group.
committed to meeting on a The group held a successful
regular basis. community information day on
April 27th, this was supported
Regular work sessions at the by the local artist in residence,
community garden, welcome Preisthill, Nitshill and
new and existing volunteers and Craigbank Association and
include manual gardening work Greater Pollok Volunteers.
with supervision and lessons
from Amy Quinn (local
resident, horticultural expert
and volunteer), general catch
ups with how the project is
going and discussions about
ideas for the surrounding
Click
Here
To visit Nitshill
Greenspace Garden Nitshill Greenspace Gardens
Facebook page group event poster
16Repairs to Victoria Park
Galleon
The Victoria Park Galleon has Extensive repairs were carried
been a well-loved piece of Play out throughout March. The new
Equipment used by thousands wood and decking was installed
of Glasgow’s children over the and the ship painted - even the
last fifteen years. However due four-metre high mast and flag
to the constant use by received two coats of fresh paint
generations of happy kids the - which was quite an operation
kit looked run down and tired for the painters!
and sections of the ship were
closed and fenced off due to The Galleon was opened just in
wear and tear. time for the Easter school
holidays in April 2021 and a
In late 2020 the Friends of small opening ceremony was
Victoria Park and members of held involving everyone
the Victoria Park Trust involved in the repair.
approached the Council’s (NRS)
Neighbourhoods, Regeneration Happy Days!
& Sustainability Operations
Team with a view to having the Special thanks to BAE, the
installation repaired. NRS Parks Friends of Victoria park and the
Development were asked by the Victoria Park Trust for all their
local parks management to assistance with this project.
appoint a contractor capable of
carrying out the works.
The contractor started in
February 2021 – early works New Woodwork Painting the
involved repairing and and Decking Galleon
replacing old woodwork,
decking and damaged trim.
Then the flaking paint was
stripped.
At this stage staff from the
nearby Yarrow’s shipyard
approached the Council with a
view to contributing towards the
restoration. This partnership
with BAE was agreed and their
£7,000 contribution was
gratefully accepted.
Click Did you know that Victoria
Park was formally opened on
Here 2nd July 1887 and is considered
to be Glasgow’s prettiest park.
For more The finished Pirates at the
information on article Opening Ceremony
Victoria Park
17Resident Robins Best Fence in Glasgow
A pair of robins regularly take up residence at Greenfield Depot to rear their young. It is the perfect Friends of Knightswood have received funding from the Area Partnership who provide grants to local
location with access to Greenfield Park for food. But this year not only are they inside one of the community and voluntary organisations to provide services that will help local priorities and Glasgow
Council work sheds, but the nest is also inside one of the vehicles. City Councils objectives. They have now started their ‘Paint the Fence’ project. Here’s what they had
Staff are looking after the birds and the nest. The vehicle is temporarily not being used, with a to say;
replacement machine brought in so that work still gets carried out and signs are up so the robin and
its young are not disturbed. “We received funding for this in November 2019 from the Area Partnership, but due to weather then
restrictions, this is the first chance we’ve had. We could not think of a colour, so we chose them all!
Remember all wild birds and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as Hoping to complete this in the next couple of weeks. It is now a real talking point, it’s been a great way
amended). This includes even common species like pigeons, blackbirds and robins. to raise awareness of our Friends of Knightswood Park group!”
We think it looks fab, well done to all involved!
Robin
Keen volunteers from the Friends of
Knightswood Park paint each slat of the
fence a different colour of the rainbow
Click Click Click
Council
Here Here Here
vehicle with
robins’ nest
To find out more To visit Friends of To find out more
about how you can Knightswood Park about Area
help Robins on Facebook Partnership Grants
18Overnewton Square Play Brightly coloured
roundabout and
pendulum swing in the
Area background
Tired looking play area
before the new play
equipment was installed
Footprint shapes New benches provided
leading to inclusive play for weary parents
equipment
Overnewton Square is located in
the West end, surrounded by
housing and a short walk from
the Kelvingrove Museum. The
play area was tired and
uninspired, with limited play
value and in need of a revamp.
NRS (Neighbourhoods
Regeneration & Sustainability) Climbing apparatus
worked with the local
community to create a new,
colourful and fun play area with
a wide range of equipment to
suit all ages. The area also
incorporates inclusive play
equipment and picnic benches.
The carpet designs include
sweeping, curved patterns and
foot print shapes to add interest.
Throughout the build, the
landscaping team received
many positive comments from
the local residents, who were
eager to enjoy the facility.
NRS, Parks Development will Bright carpet design
continue to work with local with curved shapes
communities and other key
stakeholders to improve play
areas across the city. Further
investment was recently
announced within the Council’s
2021/22 budget of £760,000 to
improve play areas and we look Safety surfacing and A range of equipment
forward to implementing this in spinner for all ages
the months ahead.
19Green algae growing at
the water’s edge
The Fascinating World of
Algae
Algae can be found growing on Cyanobacteria are commonly provide a quick alert to local
trees, paths, stone walls and known as blue-green algae due authorities and relevant agencies
roofs but the majority are to their dominant blue and by using the Citizen Science
aquatic, and many can be found green chlorophyll pigments but App. The Bloomin’ Algae app
in our park ponds. Many are can also come in many other can be used to help record
microscopic and only visible colours – red, brown, and green. harmful algal blooms and
when viewed using a They are mainly microscopic provide a better understanding
microscope, but some are but are visible when they form of how algal blooms are
clearly visible to the naked eye. large blooms on the surface of impacting our freshwaters. The
They come in many colours but ponds, lochans and lochs. app is free, easy to use, and is
are generally green. Probably An increase in the use of easily downloaded to your Green filamentous
the most common are the green fertilisers, farming methods, phone. algae attached to a stick
stringy slimes or large green urbanisation and climate
growths visible on the surface of change is likely leading to an
the water during warm sunny increase in frequency of
periods. Dark slimy green and cyanobacterial blooms and,
brown patches can be seen on which are favoured by higher
submerged stones, rocks and nutrient concentrations in the
clinging to plant stems. These water and increasing incidents
algae are more common of warm sunny days.
through spring to autumn, but
growths can be seen throughout A note of caution –
the year in all types of waters cyanobacteria blooms can be
fluctuating in response to toxic to humans and animals.
environmental conditions. The Council’s Countryside
When conditions become very Rangers currently monitor the
favourable large growths can health of our park ponds and
easily be seen on the surface of can identify when algae may
the water. These large growths, become a problem. When a
termed blooms, can make the bloom is noticed, signs are put
water murky and cloudy. In up at park ponds to warn people Did you know that Algae are
certain conditions, during to keep themselves and pets primary producers and food
warm sunny periods and in away from the water until the to a large number of
ponds that are very nutrient bloom has gone. organisms - invertebrates,
rich, cyanobacteria can Brush a submerged
molluscs, fish and birds. Most stone from a river or
accumulate. We can help record and map of these algae are completely
where algae blooms occur and pond and the dark
harmless to us. brown liquid will Cyanobacteria forming a
contain lots of diatoms, slick amongst vegetation
a type of algae in a pond
Click Click
Here Here
Did you know that
Cyanobacteria are one of the
oldest organisms on earth, To get the Bloomin’ To get the Bloomin’
dating to 2.4 – 2.3 billion years
ago. They are very diverse
Algae App for Algae App for
Typical warning sign
and global in distribution. Android Apple erected at affected waters
Bloomin Algae
app
20You can also read
