A NEW £3.5m Glasgow woodland park is set to be officially opened by a Scots MP at a special community event this Saturday.
The woodland park in Toryglen, Glasgow, is the latest development from regeneration company Clyde Gateway, and will be officially opened by Alison Thewliss MP on Saturday.
Ms Thewliss, the MP for Glasgow Central and chair of Clyde Gateway, will open the new Malls Mire Woodland Park, which includes a nature reserve, boulder animal trail and spaces to host outdoor events and performances.
The community Woodland Park aims to cater for fitness enthusiasts with the inclusion of an outdoor gym and a pump track – a looped series of hills for bike riders designed to be used with minimal pedalling.
The Malls Mire Woodland Park project is part of a major new £37.5m Scottish programme of projects to improve the urban environment of our larger towns and cities.
The Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention (GISI) is led by NatureScot and is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
With 81% of Scotland’s population living in urban areas, the GISI aims to make larger towns and cities more attractive, equal and environmentally sustainable places to live, work and invest in.
It is a Scotland-wide initiative with partners including local authorities and housing associations.
Additional funding was also received from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, Glasgow City Council, Transforming Communities: Glasgow and the walking and cycling charity Sustrans.
Urban Roots, the community-led environmental charity, has worked with Clyde Gateway to ensure the designs would meet the needs of the community.
Since 2009, Urban Roots has been helping Glasgow City Council to maintain the area with weekly volunteer sessions.
Alison Thewliss, chair of Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company and MP for Glasgow Central, said: “Malls Mire park boosts Glasgow’s reputation as a ‘dear green place’ even further.
“I am thrilled to be officially opening the park and cannot wait to welcome visitors to this incredible redevelopment.
“I am confident they will see the Clyde Gateway area as a great place to visit, live and work.”
Francesca Osowska, NatureScot chief executive, said: “We know that connecting people with nature makes them happier and healthier and with Malls Mire Woodland Park, local people in Toryglen can really enjoy the benefits.
“It’s another important step in creating a nature-rich future for everyone in Scotland, part of the solution to the climate emergency facing us all.”
Dr Gemma Jennings, community engagement manager and ecology advisor at Urban Roots said: “We are delighted with the transformation of Malls Mire.
“Urban Roots is involved in the stewardship of Malls Mire Community Woodland and it’s been great to see more people out and about enjoying the space as a result of the improvements.
“It is a real boost for the local community and biodiversity and we look forward to the further opportunities it brings for connecting people with nature.”
