A pump track and bike trials area form part of new wheeled sport facilities within Strathclyde Country Park.
The newly unveiled facilities are part of a gateway feature at Bellshill being created by North Lanarkshire Council.
As well as the pump track and trials bike area, there are also mountain bike skills loops and trails linked to learn to ride areas by an upgraded active travel route.
A natural play area has also been created with a small woodland planted by local youth climate change ambassadors, alongside improvements to the wildflower meadow and new hedgerows created.
Funding for the project has been provided by sportscotland, Scotland Loves Local, Smarter Choices Smarter Places, the Place Based Investment Program and the council’s Country Parks for the Future budget.
Residents in North Lanarkshire took the opportunity to try out the facilities at a recent open day.
Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the council’s Environment and Place Committee, said: “Our opening day was very popular with residents keen to try out the new facilities, and we hope the cycle park will encourage more people to give cycling a go.
“Local cycling groups are running sessions for people to learn the skills of mountain biking and BMXing and the council is offering free cycling-related courses to groups and individuals.
“The bike park and gateway feature are opening up a less-used area of the country park for more people to enjoy.”
The gateway feature is part of the council’s masterplan for Strathclyde Country Park and the Country Parks for the Future vision for the whole of North Lanarkshire.
Visitors to Strathclyde Park can also follow a fun, family nature trail from the gateway site, crossing the South Calder River and taking in the woodland and grassland habitats of the park. It takes around 30 minutes to an hour to complete, with interactive interpretation of the local wildlife.
Work is continuing to install bespoke sculptures as well as a new car park and active travel information point, which will open in 2023.
Visitors are encouraged to cycle or walk to the new gateway until the new car park has been completed. But until then the existing car parking off Nethan Street can be used. This is next to the mountain bike trails and the Greenlink, which is an accessible route to the gateway.
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