Garden treat for the senses
Ambitious Strathaven Park plan
Mark Pirie
The Friends of Strathaven Park are hoping to raise a five-figure sum to create a sensory garden.
The Avondale group are gauging public opinion on their latest project but have had a warm response from care homes and schools so far.
The garden would be built in the centre of the park and is aimed at benefiting people with additional support needs.
Group members hope work on the garden can begin before the end of the year after South Lanarkshire Council backed the proposals.
Les Hoggan from the Friends feels that it is a project the whole community can have a say in.
“We are asking for people’s opinions on what they would like to see in our sensory garden,” he said.
“We are working with the council to develop the designs and features but we see it as a project with the community.
“We still have to formalise the area of ground we want to use but it is our objective to complete the consultation period and be done by the end of July.
“We will then put everything to the designer and cost it so the aim is to start fundraising by the end of the year.”
He continued: “There has been a really good response so far, particularly form the primary school kids. They had lots of ideas on how to help.
“We want to come up with the best idea we can for people with all different learning difficulties.”
Les admitted that they are still in the early stages of planning but he wants the project to be at the heart of the popular park.
“There are a lot of factors still on the go for now,” he said. “We want it to be close to the pond and we will have to alter paths.
“If I was to guess I’d say we would need about five figures.
“It’s such a popular park and to add something like this would be really special.”
Alistair Mckinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services, said: “The council has held initial discussions with the Friends of Strathaven Park in relation to creating a sensory garden and a potential area has been identified within the park.
“Although this is still at an early stage, the council has committed to working to assist the group and will do so in particular once their consultation has been completed.”
To add something like this would be really special...