Park group has grand designs
Strathaven Friends plan garden
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The Friends of Strathaven Park are hoping to push their plans for a sensory garden to the next stage.
The Avondale group’s committee have completed their consultation on the project – and have now submitted the proposal to South Lanarkshire Council.
Members of the committee visited local schools to discuss the concept with some of the pupils, and to gather ideas as to what should be included in the new garden at the heart of the popular park.
Staff from a nearby care home and a local children’s nursery were also consulted.
In addition, a questionnaire was issued to local people, with hundreds of responses generated.
A huge 98 per cent of replies stated that a sensory garden would be a valuable addition to the park.
It is believed the group will have to raise a five-figure sum for the project and Friends of Strathaven Park chairperson Tricia Summers believes they’re off to a good start. She added: “Friends of Strathaven Park are really grateful to all those who took the time to complete our questionnaire or to meet with us.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown for the sensory garden proposal.
“The responses were extremely constructive, interesting and useful.
“Thanks to those individuals and groups who’ve also offered to help. We will be contacting you all in due course.
“We sent our report, based on the responses we received, to the design team at South Lanarkshire Council in late September. An update will be provided on the next stage.”
Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services with South Lanarkshire Council, said: “We have received the group’s consultation response and contact has been made with the planning and economic development team to set up a meeting for the them to discuss potential funding for this project.
“Once this has been confirmed, the landscape development team will be in a position to add this to their work programme and prepare an outline design based on the available budget.”
Meanwhile, Strathaven Park has been voted the best in Scotland in a public vote for the second year running.
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful also confirmed that the Avondale park made it into the top 10 in the UK in a poll of the country’s best green spaces.
The popular park has retained the title as Scotland’s top park for the second year in a row.
Beating more than 1799 of the UK’s best green spaces, Strathaven Park was presented with the accolade of Scotland’s top park as part of the People’s Choice Awards scheme, administered north of the border by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Mr McKinnon continued: “I am delighted that Strathaven Park has not only come out on top in Scotland yet again, but has been rated in the top ten for the whole of the UK.
“Very well done to all concerned who will now be working to make it three-in-a-row!”