A Glasgow granny has officially opened a new community park in the Bridgeton area and the 100-year-old was honoured to be asked to cut the ribbon earlier today.
Former lollipop lady Alice Gallacher opened the Old Dalmarnock Road greenspace - which had previously stood vacant - following a £1m investment by Clyde Gateway.
The new community park includes a woodland path for walkers and areas to support biodiversity. New entrances have been constructed, as well as a bike circuit for kids.
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Alice has lived in the area all her life and is well-known among locals. She still lives independently and attends classes at the local Bridgeton Community Learning Campus three times a week.
She said: “Bridgeton has changed so much over the years and I am so happy to see it continue to improve. I have always been proud of my local area and enjoyed serving as the local lollipop lady for many years and getting to know all the families.
“I am very touched to be asked to cut the ribbon on this new greenspace. I hope it provides an area for the children and families to enjoy for years to come.”
As part of the regeneration work, Clyde Gateway, the architects and developers were keen to involve the local community in the plans at every stage and hope that it will be an important asset in the heart of Bridgeton.
Glasgow MP Alison Thewliss, who is the Chair of Clyde Gateway, also attended the opening on Friday, March 31.
The new park is just one of a number of greenspaces constructed by Clyde Gateway to help regenerate the area. Others include the Cuningar Loop Woodland Park, Riverside Park in Dalmarnock and Malls Mire in Toryglen.
Lesley Ward, Bridgeton Community Learning Campus, said: “What a fantastic addition to Bridgeton. It has been great to see families using the park already and now it is officially open we will no doubt see even more coming along.
“Our centre provides a brilliant space for the local community and to have this new greenspace on our doorstep will allow us, and the centre users, to do so much more.”
Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway, Ian Manson, said: “Regeneration is not just about creating new business premises and building more houses. It is about making Bridgeton, Dalmarnock and Rutherglen even better places to live, work and play and creating attractive greenspaces is such a huge part of this.
“Throughout my time at Clyde Gateway I have always been proud of how we bring vacant land back into community use, as we have done here. I believe this new greenspace will really lift the local community.
“Our thanks to our guest of honour, Alice Gallacher, an absolute stalwart supporter of Bridgeton. She has always been committed to her local area and it is only right that she opens this new greenspace.”
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