Controversial fence at Glasgow park sparked large protest

Around 150 residents descended on Cathkin Park today in a desperate bid to have a metal barrier removed.

We previously reported how residents hit out after plans were revealed to fence off a football pitch in the public park.

Now they have held an "emergency picnic" at the popular spot with colourful banners and signs, which were stuck on the fence. 

Protesters of all ages joined the picnic (Image: Sourced)

The event welcomed all ages and hosted a sports day, kids games, plus music, crafts, and food.

The family fun day kicked off on Sunday, March 24 bringing the community together to gain back access to the park.

Glasgow City Council recently gave permission to a private football academy, Jimmy Johnstone Charitable Trust, to erect the fence, despite their lease being granted in 2022 on the grounds that the facility will be ‘open to all’.

A petition has now been launched demanding the fence be removed and access reinstated, with more than 1,500 signatures. 

The signs were placed on the fence (Image: Sourced)

Tami Pein, local resident and one of the organisers of the picnic, said: “The emergency picnic at Cathkin Park was a huge success today - groups of local concerned residents, young kids and families came together to say: no to the fence, we want to keep this park public and open for everyone to use, play and benefit from.

"We really hope we can work together as a community to make sure the park is accessible for all.”

Lucy Eskell, local resident and member of Cathkin Blazes football team, said:
“As a member of Cathkin Blazes football team, I think it’s really important to have pitches accessible to the community and free of charge.

"The southside of Glasgow needs more accessible pitches, not less, so that outdoor sports can be truly inclusive and enjoyed by all.”

Residents hit out over the sign (Image: Sourced)

Matt Barnes, local resident to Cathkin Park, said: “I came down today with my partner and my child because we wanted to support the Save Cathkin Park campaign.

"Parks are really important to us, we live in a tenement flat on the second floor and our close garden is small and often not useable for our kids, so we come to the park to get free accessible space where they can run around and be healthy.

"We meet other parents here, they bring their kids so the kids get to socialise and it’s free.

"Having these spaces is really important. It’s great to see everybody down today sharing food, music, games, childcare and community - and that’s really nice to see after a long winter.”

Planning permission was given by the Planning Applications Committee in December last year to erect the fence.

This gives Jimmy Johnstone Academy the appropriate consent to erect a fence to protect the football pitch.