Noblehill & Parkhead Community Development Association

Noblehill & Parkhead Community Development Association are now seeking community ownership of Parkhead in order to protect it long term as open space for community use. The site comprises of three playing fields that are used informally by local children and by local sports clubs, the site of the old Parkhead Hospital aka the best sledging spot in the town and a wild area used mainly by dog walker

s with rich biodiversity. Parkhead is well used by a broad section of the local community, including local families and their children, people with limited mobility who can access the green space due to the flat, dry nature of the land and it is a popular dog walking site. The Council has recently sold the land to DGHP who plan to build social housing. Over the past few months the goal posts have been quietly removed from the playing fields and the grass has been left largely uncut. There has been little information forthcoming about the plans. This page has been set up as a focal point for members of the community who want to save this precious green space. The Scottish Government recognises access to green spaces as an important indicator of quality of life, stating:

Greenspace has substantial environmental and health impacts, but also links to community aspects, such as community cohesion, social connectedness and community resilience. Being able to access high quality greenspace can improve the health, wellbeing and confidence of people and communities. Quality greenspaces will help us to:

increase our physical activity levels, strengthen our mental health, combat isolation and loneliness and create a sense of purpose by providing opportunities for volunteering

link houses, workplaces, services and other public spaces to create joined-up spaces and connected neighbourhoods and provide safe, pleasant corridors for active travel

provide opportunities for government, business and communities to come together to create places that attract investment and business development, support the health, wellbeing and morale of the workforce, and where people of all ages can find training and work opportunities

support creative, stimulating learning to develop skills and confidence

sustain places, bring people and nature together, support local production and consumption as well as creating a ‘sense of place’ and cultural identity. Parkhead does all of the above. The rumoured plans would remove this essential green space from our community. It would remove a safe, open and unstructured playing space from our children, and it removes a well loved social gathering space. If you would like to become involved in a campaign to Save Parkhead, post on the page or send a message. In the meantime we would like to collate testimonials from local people about what Parkhead means to them. To share your story or photos plese post on this page.