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 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,

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 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 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 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 Park in helping to tackle some of the To visit Friends of To visit Yorkhill health and well-being Friends of Southern Necropolis Southern Green Spaces on challenges we face. Necropolis on FB Facebook Alexandra Park Food Forest

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 woodland development work we have been asked to speak at Click safe dedicated space and time should be. The full group and be representative of our 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 and woodlands development number one priority with countries along with Sandy be involved 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 grant of almost £20,000 from Click Click involved we managed to the Waitrose bags scheme.” 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 Langside fought on 13th May Here Here is in support of not only the park. 1568 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 to introduce the mass planting When we look closely at Queens daffodils and other spring information about of Queens Park on Park and its unique topography, bulbs, in partnership with the Queens Park Facebook we see that it is already a series local community.

6 Spaces for People

Contractors fill New planters at new planters with 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 , 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 intervention saw the need for public feeling about Spaces for Click city’s strategy for economic recovery. Larger style planters and pedestrians to use the push People projects, and any that 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 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 Boys and their creation of an Active Travel calculation of the levels for each path levels Route with two new cycle paths, path to ensure we were creating toys… 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.’ , 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 Dawsholm Park were Dawsholm Park machine interested onlookers

8 Group of ramblers on top of Cathklin Braes, The waterfall in at the highest point of Linn Park LNR Glasgow

Socially distanced tea break at

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 , 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 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 these walks is the Magnificent Park, Trinley Brae and Tollcross 11, an eleven mile walk within Ramblers group Ramblers group

9 Restoration 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 Previous condition – ironwork. drew up a specification to 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 restored Botanic Gardens staircase staircase

10 Meet 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 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. , 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 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 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 education.’ occasional garden and are now water voles in the school Water Voles referred to as grassland water grounds. Action Plan

11 A 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 Click Click Click “Green Action Trust are delighted to be developing a further phase of new woodland at 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

12 Accessible 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: but I do know that whatever it Click “Mansewood has always prided holds, Mansewood will rise to 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 we have seen some of our plot to meeting the demands for food and food growing

13 The Art of Restoration

A new community artwork £2million contract to restore owned by the Bishops of celebrating the 500-year long . 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 . 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 / 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, – 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 mural 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 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

15 Lots of nice herbs beginning to grow in a raised bed in Nitshill 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

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Greenspace Garden Nitshill Greenspace Gardens Facebook page group event poster

16 Repairs 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.

Did you know that Victoria Click 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

17 Resident 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

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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

18 Brightly coloured Overnewton Square Play roundabout and pendulum swing in the Area background

Tired looking play area before the new play equipment was installed Footprint shapes leading to inclusive play New benches provided equipment for weary parents 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.

19 Green algae growing at The Fascinating World of the water’s edge 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 Algae App for Algae App for ago. They are very diverse Typical warning sign and global in distribution. Bloomin Algae Android Apple erected at affected waters app

20 Parklife If you have an interesting story or have a question, please use the button below to get in touch.

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