An award-winning group of volunteers in Glasgow have upgraded a local woodland. Cassiltoun Housing Association received a Community Active Travel Grant to develop its improvement work in the community, making paths more accessible whilst raising awareness of the routes.

Volunteers have installed signage, improved the outlook of the area, signposted key local amenities and responded to local aspirations – all to give local people and visitors a nice area to explore.


Cassiltoun Housing Association Castlemilk Park Volunteers was formed in 2018 with a diverse group of volunteers ranging between 10 and 70 years old, with one common interest – helping the local community engage with the woodland area. 

The project has opened up new places for people to walk with many locals unaware of what they had on their doorstep due to the lack of signage.
 

“At the heart of all of our work is the local community. They are involved in every step of the process and we look to bring their ideas to life through feedback and discussion. Upgrading the woodland has seen its challenges especially during lockdown as we have had to work differently due to the restrictions – sometimes we would have jobs that usually require a few pair of hands; but had to be done alone. The path routes themselves aren’t strenuous or very long. They range from about 1km to 1.5km with our main aim being to get people using the area and feeling the health and wellness benefits from spending time outside.”

Stuart Whittaker, Community Woodland Officer at Cassiltoun Housing Association

Cassiltoun Housing Association received a £3000 Community Active Travel Grant to further develop its improvement work in the community, making paths more accessible whilst raising awareness of the routes. 

The grant, supported by Transport Scotland, allowed Castlemilk Park volunteers to build upon the success of an earlier project and install more signage highlighting key active travel routes and local amenities.

More Information on the Paths for All website: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/community-paths/cmp-success-stories/cmp-story/award-winning-volunteers-work-their-magic-on-local-woodland

Image courtesy of Paths for All