New Neighbours
I was commissioned by the Seven Lochs Partnership to create an activity trail in Blairtummock Park. The park is in Easterhouse, and was part of recent redevelopments to make more green space in the area, and provide a flood management zone for nearby houses.
The trail was commissioned to engage families with the area and communicate the value the area brings to nature and people too. ‘New Neighbours’ brings together lots of creature characters co-designed with local children from Pavillion, BEE and Platform, celebrating the different forms of nature that are creating homes in this new nature space.
Activities are multi-sensory, including singing, scavenger hunts, story-telling and lots more. The other side of the trail consists of a map with the different creature locations, which are marked by character way markers around the park.
New Neighbours in the newspaper + quotes
Article in the Glasgow Evening Times
Debbie McMahon, child and youth development co-ordinator for BEE (Brighter East End), said: “The children and young people have loved being involved in this project from the start, from initially exploring the area and taking part in workshops with Cara, to seeing their ideas and designs come to life in the booklet.
“They couldn't wait to show off the guide to their parents, telling them how they had helped to make it.”
Matt Addicott, artistic director of Platform, said: ‘Cara has worked closely with children and young people, listening to their ideas and imaginations.
“They have created a brilliant resource and we are excited to share and celebrate what they have made together. We hope people will head along, grab a guide and get active.”
Workshops and Community Engagement
Workshop Facilitation
Over the summer of 2023, I facilitated workshops with different groups around Easterhouse to inspire the trail activities and characters. These included Platform’s Holiday Club and Art Club, Pavillion Youth Club and BEE’s Youth Club.
The workshops consisted of an inspiration walk, taking visual notes of creatures, nature and possible activities in Blairtummock Park.
When we arrived back at the clubs, we used a roll of paper to create a collaborative map of Easterhouse and the park, embellishing it with imagined creatures, stories and collage.
Initial Findings
Lack of interest in going outside and exploring in nature and particularly in the park - seen as a ‘through route’ and not considered a park ‘the pitches’
Little understanding of the history of the location and why the park has been created
Lots of people unaware of water voles and the need for a flood protection area
Aims of the Trail
Reconnect local families to nature through the unique opportunity to see a new park form and grow
Encourage pride of place and heritage - linking to local organisations such as Platform, Pavillion and BEE
Highlight the reasons for the park’s creation (flood management) and reasons for rewilding (water voles and benefits to nature)