Our group plays a vital role in reducing social isolation by offering a warm, friendly welcome to those who enjoy physical activity in an outdoor setting. We attract volunteers from Kilbirnie, Beith, and even as far afield as Saltcoats, and we take pride in contributing to the regeneration of the park, located on the former site of the Glengarnock Iron and Steel Works. Our weekly workdays provide opportunities for people who share a love of the outdoors to connect, build relationships, and strengthen community ties. Activities have included tree planting, coppicing, path creation, and a range of environmental projects that support the long‑term stewardship of the site.

Our woodland bluebell trail is steadily transforming into a magical space for younger children – a place where imagination, nature, and play come together. Over the past year we have created a series of wildlife scrapes and ponds, wetland features that will become increasingly valuable feeding grounds for breeding birds. To support this, we have installed a bird‑watching screen, allowing visitors to observe birds at close quarters without disturbing them.

These projects are still works in progress, but if awarded a Proportional Budgeting grant we hope to build and install a traditional noticeboard to help visitors understand what the park offers — the café, the play park, the bird‑watching screen, and the woodland paths. A board featuring a map, a little local history, the wildlife to look out for, and information on who looks after the park — with recognition for the volunteers, Equal trainees, and the Council — will show that this is a cared-for community resource. Positioned near the ClubHouse Café, the noticeboard would provide an ideal focal point for sharing information and keeping visitors informed about ongoing projects and events.

Costs: 

Wooden noticeboard with asphalt shingle roof          £815

2 x outdoor lockable notice board                              £664

Total                                                                            £1479