100-year-old lifelong Bridgeton resident officially opens park
Alice Gallacher, 100, cut the ribbon on the project
A park has been officially opened in the east end of Glasgow by a 100-year-old Bridgeton resident and former lollipop lady.
The Old Dalmarnock Road Greenspace has transformed vacant land after 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.
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 itwill be an important asset in the heart of Bridgeton.
'Bridgeton has changed so much'
Centenarian Alice Gallacher has lived in the area all her life and said she was ‘touched’ to be asked to cut the ribbon.
She is well known locally after her previous role as a lollipop lady, 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.”
Lift to the community
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.”