Phase one of works to transform vacant and derelict land in the centre of Milton into a welcoming and adventurous park have been completed.
Visitors can now enjoy a network of paths leading to climbing bounders. The local primary school, immediately opposite the park, now has easy access to a new outdoor teaching circle.
We delivered the project on behalf of the Glasgow City Council using funding of more than £650,000 from the Scottish Government’s Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme.
Our community consultation included a site walk over with community groups and residents. The designs also built on work done by Liveable Neighbourhoods with schools and community groups.
Results showed that the key aspirations for the site were safer pedestrian routes to school, places to sit in the park, deterrents to dangerous parking, and general tidy up and ongoing maintenance. The site used to be a on the Council’s Vacant and Derelict Land register and was a location of anti social behaviour.
What we did
We carried out a tree condition and risk report and then commissioned the unsafe trees to be removed. Dense scrub was also cleared. This has helped create clear desire lines through the site, improving safety and accessibility and making the park a more attractive space.
Our landscape design team drew up site plans including a network of paths which connect the site to the local area and with benches at key viewpoints, climbing boulders and a teaching circle. Construction works were carried out by Mackenzie Construction.
An area of butterfly orchids, identified in our Phase 1 Habitat survey, has been protected throughout the construction process.
Our next steps on the 3.5 hectare site will be to instal natural play features across the park in late autumn.
The works deliver on Glasgow’s Open Space Strategy for people to have access to a good quality, multifunctional open space within an easy walk of their homes.