DESIGN proposals for a new skatepark in the south side of Glasgow have been unveiled.
The project design will be available to view in the upper foyer of Tramway between October 3 and 6 for public view and consultation.
The Devon Street Urban Park aims to transform an area beneath the M74 to create a new free to use urban sculpture park and active leisure space.
The project’s journey has taken almost 10 years and, since 2014, has been led by Scottish artists and skateboarders Toby Paterson and Raydale Dower who teamed up with BMX rider and professional ramp builder John Bailey in 2020.
Bailey had recently completed the Loading Bay skatepark in Port Dundas which now receives more than 30,000 visitors annually.
The project has been met with positive reactions so far, including from street trials biker Danny MacAskill, whose viral videos have been viewed more than 500 million times.
He said: “As an artist and skateboarder, I’m looking forward to seeing this unused section of land transformed into an inspiring space where members of the community will be free to use it to express themselves however they wish.
“It’s a unique project with so much scope for creativity.”
In 2023, the team behind the plans worked with Glasgow City Council on the local authority’s Cycling & Urban Sport Strategy.
It identifies opportunities for provision of urban sports within Glasgow – an example being the bespoke skate features available at the Riverside Museum.
The Devon Street Urban Park aims to transform an approximately 8000-square metre of “lost” space into a new type of public park and urban space for all.
It has already attracted significant investment from the United States with the Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation (SMCF) supporting the design process and confirming an offer of £1.2m in funding.
The next step is to gain public support for the proposal to secure further private or public funding and match the offer from SMCF.
The project has also been supported by Councillor Jon Molyneux of the Pollokshields Ward who said: “As city design manager in GCC/planning, I’d like to offer my full intellectual endorsement for the GUS Devon Street Urban Park proposal.
“This vision epitomises the very concept of agile and sustainable urban action for the regeneration of an area ripe for it.”
Click HERE to find out more information about public consultation events.
