The Park Managers Forum was out on location for the August meeting with a study tour visiting Castlebank Park in Lanark…and wow, what a park!  TLC and hardwork from volunteers at the Lanark Community Development Trust has transformed a tired and rundown park into a thriving community hub.

Garden terraces have been restored and replanted, fallen trees have been carved into woodland sculptures for the fairy dell, volunteers and trainees at the horticulture centre grow plants for the park and Lanark in Bloom, the raised beds are bursting with veggies grown for the Food Bank, and the new classroom with solar PV is bringing redundant buildings back to life. 

The theme for the day was ‘new approaches to managing traditional parks’ and the Lanark Community Development Trust were inspirational in showcasing the transformation they have undertaken at Castlebank Park.

Park Managers from 12 Councils and colleagues from SNH took part in the study tour with workshops sharing experience of working in partnership with communities and Development Trusts, and a session on developing new approaches to managing parks and generating income which produced a range of new ideas and opportunities for Castlebank Park.

Our thanks to Scottish Natural Heritage for supporting this study tour and the volunteers at Lanark Community Trust for hosting the Park Managers Forum.