Council leader’s thumbs-up as park earns‘much loved’status
South Lanarkshire Council’s Leader hailed Chatelherault Country Park as one of the best free days out in the county.
It was recently awarded ‘much loved’status in a nationwide vote.
The UK’S Best Park, organised by green space charity Fields in Trust received a record 364 nominations with an unprecedented 36,382 votes being cast.
Chatelherault was one of just 42 Scottish parks nominated and made the final ten in the country – and was the only one in Lanarkshire to be recognised as‘much loved’.
The award recognises the role that parks play in communities, supporting mental and physical health and bringing people together.
Hamilton South Councillor John Ross is a regular user of Chatelherault’s woodland walks and said:“the 5th Duke of Hamilton’s hunting lodge at Chatelherault was restored 27 years ago.
“And, now, what was once a crumbling building is restored in all its 18th century glory and visited by more than 200,000 people each year.
“I am proud to count myself as one of those, and spend time biking, running and just enjoying it with family, especially my grandson Jack, (pictured) on a regular basis.
“In the last three years alone, around half a million pounds has been spent on a woodland regeneration programme, which has restored a vital part of the Clydevalleywoodlands National Nature Reserve.
“We have also reconstructed 10 kilometres of footpath on the west side of the park from the duke’s monument at Barncluith to the Green Bridge beside Larkhall and work is ongoing to repair and restore the main bridges in the park.
“As a five-star visitor attraction, the council and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture will continue to invest in the site, its woodland and resources. Its reputation as a venue, its heritage and attractions continue to combine to create, what we believe, is one of the best free days out in South Lanarkshire.”
Fields in Trust chief executive, Helen Griffiths said:“congratulations to all the‘much Loved’parks and green spaces in Scotland.
“We know that parks provide benefits to the physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections for people that use them. It is encouraging to see so many people celebrate how much they love their local parks.
“Fields in Trust is committed to protecting these vital parts of the UK’S community infrastructure for future generations.”