Cumbernauld Community Park

• Construction of a new bridge across the Airdriehead Farm Road to supplement the existing sleeper bridge and allow bicycles and buggies across. Connect back to the path from the Craighalbert Farm Road.
• Reinstate the paths from the Craighalbert Quarry into and around the area beyond up to the trees. Replace the benches which were a feature of this site.
• Construction of a new path from the new bridge on the Airdriehead Farm Road up round the hill to reduce the existing gradient and allow wheelchair access. In addition to greater access for bicycles and joggers, this shall create an alternative path on the green route.
• We shall be working with a local historian and a number of local artists to create a historical pageant along the Via Flavii - the route between the hedges behind the Cumbernauld and St Andrew's Primary Schools. This road, which serviced the Antonine Wall, was the only surfaced road between the east and west for hundreds of years and we are lucky to have a part of it preserved here. Many famous historical characters, kings and queens as well as drovers and travellers have walked or rode along it. The intention is to celebrate them in structures of weathering steel.

Community Events in the Park

• We shall continue to provide a Fun in the Park events despite issues about access and cost. Even during events the vast extent of the Park away from the event will remain open to all. It is also our policy that events should be self financing where a free event (from external funding) cannot be provided.
• Where possible we shall facilitate events run by other community organisations in the Cumbernauld Community Park.
• A full list of the events for 2010 shall be published in the local press and on this website towards the end of 2009/start of 2010.

Biodiversity and Conservation

• Construction of a large wetlands area between the Eastfield Cemetery and the M80. The existing picnic site will be connected to a path from the cemetery extension with a side link path onto the drumlin* opposite and a new picnic area. This new path will then cross a series of linked ponds over a boardwalk. The two large lochans shall have islands built up from the spoil dug out to create them. This will provide new habitats and a refuge for birds in the middle of the wetlands area. (*Drumlins are the mounds left behind by the melting of the glaciers of the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.)
• Research appropriate planting such as willow and other scrub trees and shrubs for the former landfill site which was originally the Village Coup.
• Look for funding to expand the present narrow tree belts around the Community Park. Potential sites are the field below the Craighalbert Centre, the shelter belt behind the Bellisle estate and the slope above the old Village Coup Road. Care needs to be taken to preserve the hedges but these wider informal forest paths may be useful as bridal paths or more casual walks. Extensive tree planting will require deer fencing to protect it until the trees are tall enough to be out of the reach of browsing deer.

Communication

• We shall continue to publish information and updates via this website and in the local press.
• Following suggestions raised at  AGM in June 2009, a mailing list has now been set up. We plan to automatically invite people who have supplied their email address to the friends group in the past if they want to join.  Other members of the public can subscribe via the link on the website.
• We intend to conduct a major survey in conjunction with North Lanarkshire Council to find out what the residents of Cumbernauld want to have in the Park – the infrastructure and facilities – the events and the conservation projects.  We are concerned to get access right and to arrange funding so that as far as possible events can be free. Obviously if concerts or equestrian events (as examples) are organised some charges are inevitable. However, even on those days the biggest part of the Park will still be open, free and accessible to people who just want to walk, run or use the Park in their own way. If you have comments or suggestions why not pass them on via our website.