Trees will have to be removed from park

AS PART of the start to the £ 3.3 million Hermitage Park regeneration and conservation project, Argyll and Bute Council and Friends of Hermitage Park have organised a tree walk this Saturday (January 7), to update people on the work about to begin and explain why some of Hermitage Park’s trees have to be removed.

A contractor is set to be appointed to start the work that will regenerate the Helensburgh park with improvements, including a new pavilion, a fountain plaza on the site of the old millpond, extensive conservation of the war memorial, new paths and lighting, interpretation panels, a new children’s play area and a demonstration garden.

A tree survey, which included the use of an aerial drone, provided detailed information about the condition and shape of the park’s trees. It identified around 70 that need to be removed because they are dead, dying or diseased, in poor shape, out of scale or planted too close together.

Councillor Ellen Morton, Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for infrastructure, said: ‘When the regeneration is complete, Hermitage Park will be a showcase green space. The removal of the dying, diseased and poor trees at this stage will make room for new trees to be planted as part of the project. We are also working with a number of local groups to recycle the timber from the trees that are felled.’

Fiona Baker, chairwoman of the Friends of Hermitage Park, added: ‘ While it is sad that some of the big and old trees need to be felled, having reviewed the tree surgeon’s survey, we understand that there is really no other option. We believe it is in the best interests of the park and its future and the new trees that will be planted will grace the park for many years.’

Anyone interested in taking part in the tree walk should meet at the Sinclair Street entrance of Hermitage Park at 2pm on Saturday January 7.

The regeneration of Hermitage Park has secured funding of £ 3.3 million. £2.3 million awarded by the Heritage Lottery, Parks for People fund. Other funders include the War Memorial Trust, Sustrans, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and the Friends of Hermitage Park.