The facilities include a pump track and trials bike area as well as mountain bike skills loops and trails linked to learn to ride areas by an upgraded active travel route.

A natural play area has also been created with a small woodland planted by local youth climate change ambassadors, alongside improvements to the wildflower meadow and new hedgerows created.

Visitors can follow a fun, family nature trail from the gateway site, crossing the South Calder River and taking in the woodland and grassland habitats of the park. It takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete, with interactive interpretation of the local wildlife.

“Our opening day was very popular with residents keen to try out the new facilities, and we hope the cycle park will encourage more people to give cycling a go,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Place Committee.

“Local cycling groups are running sessions for people to learn the skills of mountain biking and BMXing and the council is offering free cycling-related courses to groups and individuals.

“The bike park and gateway feature are opening up a less-used area of the country park for more people to enjoy.”

Work is continuing at the gateway to install bespoke sculptures as well as a new car park and active travel information point, which will open in 2023.

Visitors are encouraged to cycle or walk to the new gateway. Until the new car park is completed, the existing car parking off Nethan Street can be used. This is next to the mountain bike trails and the Greenlink, which is an accessible route to the gateway.

The gateway feature is part of our masterplan for Strathclyde Country Park and the Country Parks for the Future vision for the whole of North Lanarkshire.

Funding for the project has been provided by Sportscotland, Scotland Loves Local, Smarter Choices Smarter Places, the Place Based Investment Program and our Country Parks for the Future budget.