Volunteers turning a dumping ground into a green haven are urging people to find out more about their project with the launch of a community fun day.
Barochan Green Team is turning the abandoned piece of land beside Barochan Crescent from a hotspot for fly-tippers into a green space where locals and wildlife can thrive side by side.
On Sunday, the team - spearheaded by husband and wife Alan and Malgorzata Hayward - are inviting people from across Ferguslie to the site for some family fun and an introduction to their ambitious plans for the future.
Running from midday to 4pm, there will be a bouncy castle, face painting, games and goodie bags for youngsters, as well as entertainment from a DJ and bingo.
Alan told the Express the team had drafted a host of possible ideas to improve the land, but was keen to secure feedback and new ideas from locals before any larger works went ahead.
He said: “The event really is to let people know that this is an up and coming project and no longer the dumping area that it once was.
“There will have an ideas board where people can add their ideas on what the next few stages for the land should include.
“We also want to get more local volunteers to help out and potential sponsors who could help us out financially.
“Ultimately we want to get people involved and use this space to bolster wellbeing.
“It should become a nice place where people can come and talk, watch the wildlife and provide an opportunity to reconnect in a way that we haven’t been able to recently.”
The land, which includes a section of woodland and open grass, was recently leased to the group by Ferguslie Park Housing Association.
The Green Team is now keen to create a space that will benefit people of all ages who live in the local community.
Initial proposals include plans for vegetable patches and fruit trees, decorative flowers and shrubs, a water feature and benches for people to meet neighbours or read quietly.
For children, there will be a mud kitchen, balance beam, a kids’ dome and open space to run around.
A gazebo made from wild willow will also provide a safe and natural haven from the elements.
A enormous amount of work has already been undertaken by Alan, Malgorzata and their band of around nine volunteers who have already cleared the site of rubbish, removed dead and dangerous trees, as well as overgrown and hazardous vegetation.
Alan added: “We have made a lot of progress, anything that was dangerous has now been removed.
“We have cleared all the land, it’s easy to access now and while there’s no path, it is flat and we have installed three park benches.
“We have also laid chips so people can walk through the site.”
The green team secured funding from the Tannahill Centre’s Good Ideas Fund to host the event and purchase some essential tools and equipment to complete initial works.
The next steps and priorities will be set out once the group secures people’s feedback to their proposals and any new ideas are put forward by the community.
For more information on the Barochan Green Team and to see progress pictures of the work completed so far, check out their Facebook page.
