Residents are being offered an opportunity to have their say on plans for the Climate Ready Park at Woodhill (Greenhill) and Etive Parks in Bishopbriggs.
An online public engagement event on the concept design for the parks in the heart of Bishopbriggs opens on Thursday 15 July.
East Dunbartonshire Council, in partnership with environmental consultants Stantec and East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, is proposing to improve these open spaces which are located close to the centre of the town.
This project was first consulted on in 2019 and Stantec have produced new concept landscape design plans based on the initial feedback from residents and ground investigation works.
The community is now being invited to provide their thoughts on the design before the project moves to a detailed design stage and a planning application is submitted in autumn 2021.
Proposals include creating areas where storm water can temporarily be stored within the parks, entrance features to make the park more welcoming, wildflower meadows, avenue tree planting, pollinator friendly bulbs and a central ‘climate ready forest’.
The concept design also sees the existing blaes pitch in Etive Park transformed into an allotment site including space for horticulture training and accessible beds for those who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
It is also proposed that a grass kick-about area with mini-goals at Etive Park will replace the existing blaes pitch. A second phase of works include proposals include a BMX track and an upgrade of the existing play area.
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson, said, “Normally, we would hold a public event to capture the views of the community, but given the current Covid-19 restrictions, the process is moving online.
"We would like to thank all those that contributed comments and suggestions when the project was first consulted on in 2019.
"Changes have been made to the original layout after taking on board the comments from the initial consultation, hydraulic assessment and the results of the ground investigation works carried out in August 2020.
"I would strongly encourage local residents to take this opportunity to have a look at the concept designs and express their views."
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody added, "The aim of the project is to create an interesting, colourful, sustainable greenspace for the community of Bishopbriggs which includes adaptations for our changing climate.
"The Council wants to make a greenspace that helps the surrounding neighbourhood to be more resilient to climate chance and reduce the impacts of surface water flooding such as those seen in the storm event of June 2018.
"There will also be a focus on naturalising the park’s landscape improving biodiversity, creating habitat for local wildlife and providing a more interesting space for people."
The proposals will be available on the consultation pages of the Council’s website until Friday 30 July where feedback can be submitted or you can e-mail greenspace@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. Large copies of the designs will be on display in the windows of the Better Briggs office on Kirkintilloch Road (next to Costa).
Paper copies of the concept design can also be obtained on request from East Dunbartonshire Council by e-mailing greenspace@eastdunbarton.gov.uk.
Once a planning application is submitted, a further opportunity to make representations to the planning authority on any development proposals will be made available.
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