New Glasgow greenspaces hailed in official opening

The creation of new parks and open spaces in north west Glasgow have been praised for their positive impact on local communities after they were officially unveiled to the public.

The five new spaces at Hamiltonhill, which includes a play park with a sports pitch and a community gardens, are part of Queens Cross Housing Association’s regeneration of the area. Phase 1 work is underway to provide around 670 new homes, with the first 178 – a mix of flats, cottage flats and terraced houses – due to be completed by summer 2025.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren joined local residents at a celebration event to officially mark the completion of the greenspaces, a major milestone in the redevelopment.

The Lord Provost said: “This is great news for Glasgow. An exciting development with 670 new homes on the horizon. My congratulations to Shona Stephen and the team at Queens Cross Housing Association.

“It’s good to know Glasgow’s green credentials are being honoured with the provision of green spaces and parks I know this new community will really appreciate. Looking forward to Phase 2 starting next year.”

The play park, affectionately named the ‘Hammyhill Play Pits’ by Queens Cross tenants, includes a range of equipment and mixed-use sports pitch aimed to get children involved in active play.

There is also a community park, community garden, link space and tranquil space which provides residents with areas to take part in recreational activities, community events and quieter spaces to relax in a natural environment.  

The creation of the greenspaces was made possible after the project received funding from the Green Infrastructure Fund, which is led by NatureScot and part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Queens Cross Housing Chief Executive Shona Stephen is delighted to see the new outdoor areas in place.

She said: “The completion of these new greenspaces marks a significant achievement in the regeneration of Hamiltonhill.

“The neighbourhood greening contributes to Queens Cross’ vision of providing excellent housing in vibrant communities. These elements will promote a sense of place in Hamiltonhill while improving residents’ health and wellbeing and increasing biodiversity.

“We’d like to thank NatureScot for providing the funding required to allow us to make these considerable environmental improvements.”

Arthur Keller of NatureScot added:

“NatureScot was delighted to support the development of the new greenspaces at Hamiltonhill through our ERDF Green Infrastructure Fund. They are already an asset to the

community and show how imaginative use of greenspace can help to manage the impacts of climate change in our cities.

“The project is part of a £37.5m 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 helps to make larger towns and cities more attractive, equal and environmentally sustainable places to live, work and invest in.”