Popular Clyde riverside park built on former dump to be expanded

The 15-hectare woodland park at Cuningar Loop, near Dalmarnock, has been created after extensive restoration of a site that was previously used as a quarry, an illegal mine and for landfill

The 15-hectare park at Cuningar Loop, near Dalmarnock, features Scotland’s first outdoor bouldering site for rock climbers, riverside boardwalks, a bike track, a playpark, outdoor exercise equipment, public art installations, a cafe and a common green area for picnicking and staging events.

The area had previously been used as a quarry, an illegal mine and for landfill.

But a £5.7 million transformation through the Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s biggest and most ambitious regeneration programme, saw extensive works carried out to decontaminate and restore the land and create the park.

A further £2.3 million has been awarded to the Clyde Gateway to support the extension of the riverside Woodland Park at Cuningar Loop, which features Scotland’s first outdoor bouldering site for rock climbers, riverside boardwalks, a bike track, a playpark, outdoor exercise equipment, public art installations, a cafe and a common green area

The latest part of the project will see a further 8.5 hectares of vacant and derelict land that has been unused for 50 years reclaimed and turned into accessible green space.

Nearly 140,000 people used the park, in its first full year of operation.

The cash comes from the Clyde Mission, which is led by the Scottish Government.

Last year the Clyde Mission Fund provided more than £11 million of funding for projects that will create jobs and benefit communities along the river.

The organisation is now also seeking ideas from local people and businesses on how the river’s economic, social and environmental potential can be maximised while simultaneously tackling risks such as flooding.

Scottish economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s our goal to make the river an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth for Glasgow, the region and Scotland.

“We want to understand the priorities and ambitions of people and organisations connected to the river.

“Whether you live or work in the area, this is your opportunity to influence the Clyde Mission’s development and future plans.

“The river presents challenges as well as opportunities and we want to hear ideas on themes including jobs, skills and how best to bring land back into productive use through projects like the Cuningar Loop Woodland Park, which benefits communities and the environment.”

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Ian Manson, chief executive of the Clyde Gateway, said: “We are delighted to welcome Clyde Mission's funding to unlock this next stage of investment.

“Cuningar Loop Woodland Park has been a focal point for Clyde Gateway, and as well as providing an immediate jobs boost in terms of construction it will help address issues of health inequality, educational attainment and social capital which have been further impacted by Covid-19.”

Cuningar Loop Woodland Park is located in Rutherglen, across the river from the Athletes' Village created at Dalmarnock for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Clyde Mission focuses on using the land immediately adjacent to the river as a national strategic asset and follows the Clyde from its origins in the Lowther hills through to the opening of the river between Gourock and Dunoon.

In December 2020, backing for 12 projects through the Clyde Mission Fund was announced by the economy secretary.

The call for ideas is now live and will close on 29 March.

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