New £3.5m park with outdoor gym, nature reserve and animal trail to open in Toryglen

MP Alison Thewliss will officially cut the ribbon on the new Malls Mire Woodland Park which is the latest development by Clyde Gateway on Saturday- and the occasion with be marked with a free family event. 

The park has a whole host of features including a nature reserve, boulder animal trail and spaces to host outdoor events and performances. Malls Mire can be accessed through a network of brightly lit paths for walkers and cyclists.

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The community space will cater for fitness enthusiasts with the inclusion of an outdoor gym and a pump track - a looped series of hills for bike riders designed to be used with minimal pedalling.

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Alison Thewliss, chair of Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company and MP for Glasgow Central, said: “Malls Mire park boosts Glasgow’s reputation as a ‘dear green place’ even further and there can be no doubt that many of the city’s best green areas can be found in Clyde Gateway.

“I am thrilled to be officially opening the park and cannot wait to welcome visitors to this incredible redevelopment. I am confident they will see the Clyde Gateway area as a great place to visit, live and work.”

The free family event from 12m to 4pm on Saturday includes a circus performance with stilt walkers from Rowanbank Environmental Arts and Education and will be hosted by CamGlen Radio.

The Malls Mire Woodland Park project is part of a major new £37.5 million Scottish programme of projects to improve the urban environment of our larger towns and cities.  The Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention is led by NatureScot and is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

With 81% of Scotland’s population living in urban areas, the Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention aims to make larger towns and cities more attractive, equal and environmentally sustainable places to live, work and invest in.  It is a Scotland-wide initiative with many partners, including local authorities and housing associations.  

Additional funding was also received from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, Glasgow City Council, Transforming Communities: Glasgow and the walking and cycling charity Sustrans.

Urban Roots, the community-led environmental charity, has worked with Clyde Gateway to ensure the designs would meet the needs of the community. Since 2009, Urban Roots has been helping Glasgow City Council to maintain the area with weekly volunteer sessions.

Dr Gemma Jennings, community engagement manager and ecology advisor at Urban Roots, said: "We are delighted with the transformation of Malls Mire. Urban Roots is involved in the stewardship of Malls Mire Community Woodland and it’s been great to see more people out and about enjoying the space as a result of the improvements.

“It is a real boost for the local community and biodiversity and we look forward to the further opportunities it brings for connecting people with nature."

Francesca Osowska, NatureScot chief executive, added: “We know that connecting people with nature makes them happier and healthier and with Malls Mire Woodland Park local people in Toryglen can really enjoy the benefits. “It’s another important step in creating a nature-rich future for everyone in Scotland, part of the solution to the climate emergency facing us all.”