Cuningar Loop officially opens

Bridge completes woodland park

The abandoned Rutherglen landfill site transformed into an active“woodland retreat” was officially opened this week.

Cuningar Loop Woodland Park is the size of 15 football pitches and boasts biking and walking loops, adventure play areas and Scotland’s first outdoor bouldering facilities.

A major green space for Ruglonians to enjoy, the park is expected to welcome 120,000 visitors this year.

The £9.3 million Commonwealth Games legacy project has been managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland and Clyde Gateway, with the support of many partners.

Marking Cuningar Loop’s official opening during a visit, transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “This project is a great example of how you can turn an unused landfill site into a thriving woodland retreat for local people.

“By working in partnership, the communities around South Lanarkshire and the east end of Glasgow now have better access to good quality green space, right on their doorstep.

“Cuningar Loop is one big woodland adventure and is helping to get people active whilst building stronger communities at the same time.”

Many years ago, the site was used for quarrying and mining before turning into a landfill site for rubble from the Gorbals demolition. To help green up the area, over 15,000 trees and shrubs have been planted.

Stuart Chalmers, forest district manager with Forest Enterprise Scotland, added: “We’re really pleased that Cuningar Loop has been such a big hit with local people. The emphasis has always been to make the park a welcoming and active place for all to visit.

“A key ingredient to this success has been working with community groups and partner organisations – something which we will build on for the future.”

Artists in residence Rob Mullholland and James Winnett helped bring the woodland park to life with sculptures and unique artwork.

Another key feature of Cuningar Loop is the recently installed new purpose built bridge, which connects the park to the former Commonwealth Games athletes’ village.

Ian Manson, chief executive of Clyde Gateway, said: “For Clyde Gateway, this is regeneration.

“The quality and variety of facilities in the park are proving to be amazingly popular with local residents and those from further afield, with the visitor numbers up there with some of the best-known attractions in and around the city.”

Cuningar Loop Woodland Park forms a key part of the wider economic regeneration of the Glasgow and South Lanarkshire area. It is one of 14 Commonwealth woodlands around Glasgow.

The park’s development is also part of the Scottish Government’s Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) project which is boosting economic regeneration and making the central belt a more attractive place to live in, do business and visit.