WOODS ON YOUR DOORSTEP

CASE STUDY WOODS

Community engagement leading LOCATION The woods are next to to health improvements, enjoyment Drumchapel on the north west side of . and regeneration of local woods. SITE DESCRIPTION Three sites make up Drumchapel Woods, with a combined area of around 100 hectares. These consist of a mixture of established woodland, grassland and wetland habitats. They are currently owned by and managed by Forestry Commission .

WOODS IN AND AROUND TOWNS (WIAT) is Forestry Commission Scotland’s main programme to improve the quality of life for people living and working in urban Scotland. CASE STUDY DRUMCHAPEL WOODS www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat CASE STUDY DRUMCHAPEL WOODS

These three sites act as a stepping stone to the wider countryside sitting on the outskirts of Drumchapel. The woodlands that make up the Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Cleddans Burn were planted by the Wise Group in the early 1990s. The other block known locally as ‘Bluebell Woods’ is mature woodland and forms the eastern side of Garscadden LNR. WIAT involvement has resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of anti-social behaviour through greater use by local people, and an increase in the woods’ importance and value in people’s lives.

BEFORE WIAT WIAT ACHIEVEMENTS WIAT WORKS ON-GOING COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

Drumchapel was part of the parish of New • Improved path infrastructure, including 5km of multi-user WIAT has helped to reduce the litter and • Forest School is an effective way of helping to re-establish Kilpatrick and became a church parish in its paths and waymarked trails; anti-social behaviour in the wood, which has the link between children and the outdoors. Through the • Engagement with community groups, including the different practical tasks, it helps develop young people’s self own right in 1923. The Old Church (originally Drumchapel Woodland Group, Drumchapel Living is resulted in an increasing number of residents esteem and confidence and their ability to work together serving both Drumchapel and ) was For Everyone and BTCV green gym; using the woodlands. as a team. Pupils carry out activities like den building, built in 1901 for an increasing local population. • Increased use of the site for activities such as Forest School, tracking animals, walking the forest and learning how to outdoor learning, volunteering and conservation; The first Forest School in Glasgow was in Drumchapel, and the use forest tools; A huge housing estate was established in Drumchapel during • Reduced anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping; and woodlands are now being used to improve local people’s health • The ‘Branching Out’ participants use Drumchapel Woods as the 1950s to house 34,000 people from . • Local GPs prescribing health walks for adults suffering from and well-being, educate local school children and regenerate part of their recovery, improving their mental health and well- Along with , , and Greater , high blood pressure, obesity, stress, anxiety or mild depression. the area, creating a sense of ownership of local green spaces. being. Participants are referred to the project by mental health Drumchapel is collectively known as one of the ‘Big Four’ post-war services and undertake a range of woodland activities designed social housing schemes. All have similar architecture and planning Greenwork Mates – a pilot programme with Glasgow West to keep them active, boost their self esteem and aid recovery; and suffer from a similar range of social problems such as anti- Regeneration Agency – aimed to provide unemployed people • BTCV green gym encourages local people to get active social behaviour and mental health problems. with the necessary skills to allow them to re-enter employment. outdoors, through a variety of activities including planting trees and clearing cycle paths of overhanging branches; and Before WIAT involvement, the woodlands were heavily abused, Just a wee note to say many thanks There is a desire for a long-term management plan to co-ordinate • Drumchapel community events helped to raise the profile with large amounts of fly-tipping. For many residents, the woods “ for the walk ways that have been the long-term improvements to the woodlands, and an increase in of the woods and to introduce new visitors to the greenspace education and environmental activities. on their doorstep. were a ‘no go’ area, especially at night and weekends. constructed through the woods in Drumchapel. As a dog walker and keen outdoor person I am really enjoying this, as are many more dog walkers as the trails are now busy. Jamesie Johnston , local resident. ”

TIMELINE 2005 2006 2007 2008 2011 Forestry Commission GPs back health walks in Drumchapel Woodland Greenwork Mates – WIAT funding secured to improve access £130,000 of FCS funding secured FCS agrees a 10 year lease of the Scotland first get involved Drumchapel as part of a Group founded. In its first a ground-breaking project points across all three sites. Easy access for recreational infrastructure woodland sites with Glasgow City in Drumchapel new health promotion week, over 500 bin bags full using forestry to help tarmac entrances installed and work improvements. All 5 km of paths are Council signalling a long term scheme encouraging adults of rubbish were removed. people back into to make the woods more inviting upgraded to a long lasting, hard wearing commitment to the restoration to become more active. employment – is launched. undertaken. surface fit for multi-user needs. and management of the sites. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE THE MAINS AIMS ARE TO:

These woods are a valuable local community • Create a welcoming and safe environment for all; resource, providing opportunities for education, • Identify a management steering group who will recreation, employment and training as well take the site forward; as providing healthy and thriving habitats for • Develop and deliver a new management plan; and • Increase the number of visitors using the site. wildlife on the community’s doorstep.

In 2011, a 10 year management plan is being developed for the sites. This will look at habitat management, as well as community engagement and recreation management. It is hoped that with the appointment of a new Community Ranger, a more coordinated approach to activities within the woods will be developed, reducing litter even more and seeing more local people using the site.

If you would like to find out more about forestry in Scotland, please call 0131 334 0303 or email [email protected]

www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat