Glasgow greenspace in Cardonald transformed into community park

The space, which is situated in Cardonald and adjacent to high-rise flats at Queensland Court and Gardens, is now an outdoor socialising space and informal woodland with children's play spaces, a bicycle pump track and cycle storage facilities.

Fitted with sustainable drainage measures to reduce flood risk, the park has also been filled with a selection of shrubs, hedges, wetland plants, grasses and wildflowers. 

The joint project between Southside Housing Association and Glasgow City Council through the City Deal backed Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP), is the most recent phase of the Hillington and Cardonald Surface Water Management Plan.

Councillor Elaine McSporran, chair of the Cardonald Area Partnership, said: "It’s fantastic to see the completion of this project which I know will deliver transformative environmental benefits that meet the needs and desires of the local community.

"The greenspace improvements offered by this Glasgow City Deal-backed project will make it easier for people to get together socially whilst also offering a greener, more pleasant environment for play, recreation and active travel.

"The nature-based solutions retrofitted on-site to reduce the risk and impact of surface water flooding will also ensure the future utility and enjoyment of this valuable community space."

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Alex Cameron, chair of Southside Housing Association added: "The importance of access to good quality green space is of vital importance for physical and mental health.

"This is even more important for those living in high-rise accommodation such as the properties at Queensland Court and Gardens."

The UK government have also supported the project through its £524 million investment in the Glasgow City Region Deal.

UK Government minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said: "This new park provides a space for the local community to relax, exercise and play in.

"This is a fantastic example of residents seeing the benefits of the Glasgow City Regional Deal, turning an underused green space into something that can be enjoyed by the whole community. 

"The UK Government is supporting the project through our £524 million investment in the Glasgow City Region Deal, part of more than £2.4 billion for levelling up communities across Scotland."

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The project is part of a £37.5m Scottish programme to improve the urban environment of our larger towns and cities.

With 81% of Scotland's population living in urban areas, the Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention aims to make larger towns and cities more attractive, equal and environmentally sustainable places to live, work and invest in.