Glasgow south side residents are being invited to have their say on ambitious new proposals for an urban park underneath the M74 canopy.
The Devon Street Urban Park—a concept proposed by charity Glasgow Urban Sports (GUS)—aims to transform an unused area of land under the canopy of the motorway, including the adjacent open green space on Devon Street, and create a free to use, community urban park and active leisure space.
The design of the park will provide opportunities for urban sports; skateboarding, quad / roller skating, BMX, cycling, outdoor exercise. It will also incorporate space for public art, events and green spaces.
READ MORE: Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre sold to London theatre company saving the iconic venue
Raydale Dower, one of the lead artists working with GUS to bring the project to life, said: "I think it is ambitious and could be an absolutely transformative project.
"It’s got amazing potential. It’s an opportunity to take a sterilised and unused space and transform it into a new active leisure park which will connect the surrounding communities.
"Where you’ve got the M74 currently, it reinstates a barrier or line in the landscape; we can take that space and flip it into a positive.
"The motorway is directly between three neighbourhoods — Gorbals, Govanhill, Pollokshields — and this could be a new cultural landmark.It’s also a stretch of road heading south that so many people travel along daily.
"In Glasgow it rains a lot, so if you like urban sports, the park is a unique opportunity for the motorway to provide cover. We’ve got this really exciting idea and we’re building momentum on it."
The public are now being encouraged to participate in a survey to have their say on the plans as well as learn more about the proposals being brought forward.
Raydale said: "It was led by the BMX and skateboard community. We’re trying to raise awareness within the local community and get feedback from them.
"There’s an opportunity here - if you think it’s a good idea, you can complete the survey and have your say. So if you want to see it, make it happens. It’s a call to arms for people to support the project, and people have been overwhelmingly supportive so far.
"You’ve got housing associations and developments on all sides as well and there’s currently a lack of communities for young people. That’s some of the feedback we’ve heard. We’re providing facilities for young people with active leisure at its heart.
"It’s also a progressive use of the space. The designs are being led by urban skateboarders and it’s a unique hybrid of public art and active leisure space for all ages. It could be a fairly unique development.
"We have an ambition for a new cultural landmark with physical and mental wellbeing as a direct outcome. We’re building the case - the more people that support the project, the easier it will be for us to access funding."
Rob Cussons from GUS added: “The project has the potential to enhance the sense of community and quality of life for people living in an area currently dominated by one of Scotland’s major motorways. The Urban Sports Park would create a new high-quality area of public realm, and a new landmark focal point within the south side of the city, that encourages all generations to freely exercise and enjoy themselves within a vibrant and stimulating space.
"The Charity has been actively supported by organisations including, New Gorbals Housing Association, GCC/NRS, Sustrans and Transport Scotland, along with a number of local groups including The Loading Bay, The Barn, 5th Blocker Skates and Rollerstop to host free ‘drop-in’ skate sessions for children and young people, and now wants to extend their public consultation and work with the wider Glasgow Southside community, to help shape the plans for the park.
“As part of our community consultation and engagement, we’re asking local residents to respond to a short, online survey to ensure that together, we create a community asset that reflects common interests. The survey will help to demonstrate local support, an important step in securing the funding needed to realise the Park.”
A series of consultation events will take place through the summer of 2023, providing an opportunity for the public to participate in urban sports and to review design proposals. The charity is also inviting comments on the project through its social media channels.
To take part in the survey, visit the website here.
READ NEXT:
Glasgow doctor blasts 'out of order' anti-abortion 'bullies' outside hospital
Glasgow woman's 96 mile tribute after 'wonderful' friend wrongly diagnosed dies from rare cancer
Man dies in Lanarkshire road horror as two women rushed to hospital after van hits pedestrians
Kirkintilloch security guard 'lost everything' after falling ill during Glasgow nightclub shift
Clydebank gangster in 31kg cocaine trafficking plot paid £5,630 in 'wages'
