The community council raised the idea of a garden when we were creating the Bellshill Gateway at Strathclyde Country Park.

Members worked with our Greenspace Projects Team and DWA Landscape Architects to design the garden, which includes a range of benches, planters, trees, wildflowers and solitary bee monoliths. The garden offers an attractive area for people to enjoy as well as enhancing biodiversity.

It was constructed with funding from the Local Development Programme, managed by our Community Partnership Team. The work was carried out by Candid Construction Scotland Ltd, in conjunction with the Greenspace Projects Team.

Elizabeth Taylor from Bellshill Community Council said: "Bellshill Community Council are delighted to announce the opening of the new Bellshill community garden site within Strathclyde Country Park. It’s a fantastic community space for people to sit, relax and enjoy the natural surroundings of the country park."

“Congratulations to members of Bellshill Community Council and the council teams who created this wonderful garden for local people to enjoy,” Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of the Communities Committee said.

“By working in partnership with the landscape architects and construction company, they have delivered a relaxing, intergenerational space for people of all ages to enjoy.”

Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said “The community garden is an excellent addition to the Bellshill Gateway at Strathclyde Country Park, and will be part of the nature trail which runs to the South Calder walkway.

“The nature trail has interactive, interpretive features along the route highlighting local wildlife and biodiversity, and visually impaired visitors can enjoy the nature trail experience using using the myEyes app.

Details of the facilities at Bellshill Gateway, including an activity pack for the nature trail and myEyes app, is available at Bellshill gateway cycle facilities - Strathclyde Country Park | North Lanarkshire Council.