Scots parks are lottery winners as they share £4.8m for regeneration projects

Published on Wednesday 15 April 2009 20:35

FOUR urban parks are to be regenerated thanks to £4.8 million of lottery funding, it was announced yesterday.

The money is from Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) Parks for People programme, which aims to revive dilapidated parks, as well as adding amenities and restoring features such as bandstands and ponds.

More than half the money – around 2.63 million – has been earmarked for Duthie Park, a late Victorian park in Aberdeen.

A total of 574,200 has been awarded to help develop Cambuslang Park in South Lanarkshire. These parks have a 'stage one pass', which means money for the developments has been set aside.

Both must have a second application approved to secure the full grant, but HLF said a 'stage one pass' indicates positive support for the projects.

MacRosty Park in Crieff, Perthshire, was given 1,161,000 and Burngreen Park in Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, received 420,300.

Colin McLean, head of HLF in Scotland, said: "Parks are an important part of our community heritage. Whether for walking, picnicking, sports or community events, they are a basic part of our lives offering a pleasant leafy, green space to relax and get fresh air. HLF's pioneering approach marries people's pride in the history of their parks with the need to provide up-to-date facilities and access.

"Parks for People has been a tremendous success encouraging many thousands more people back through their park gates."

Duthie Park is one of the most popular parks in Scotland with about half a million visitors a year. It is included in Historic Scotland's Inventory of Designed Landscapes and Gardens because of its historical significance as a medium-sized, late Victorian public park.

The grant will be used to restore the Duthie fountain and various ponds, and lost features such as the promenade.

The listed 1920s bowls pavilion will be converted to offices, a cloakroom and kitchen, while the redundant tennis courts will be used for horticultural training, which will include an allotment.

Cambuslang Park was formally established in 1913 but has been used for hundreds of years as a gathering space and beauty spot. If the full grant is secured for the 11-acre park the arena will be upgraded to allow more events to take place, along with other improvements.

The grant will also create a full-time park keeper post.

At MacRosty Park in Crieff the Edwardian bandstand will be renovated, and water reintroduced to the 14th century Mill Lade. Burngreen Park will be developed as an events and performance venue, with the bandstand restored and upgrades to the drinking fountain and war memorial. The park's walls, paths, bridges, seating and lighting will also be improved.