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james73 · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: Pollok is No1 park

POLLOK Country Park in the South Side of Glasgow has been named best park
in Europe.

It beat off tough competition from parks in Poland, France, Italy, Sweden and
Germany to clinch the top prize.

Last year the park - run by Glasgow City Council - was named the best park
in Britain and it has now became the first UK park to win the European award.

Land and environment executive spokeswoman Ruth Simpson said: "The Dear
Green Place is celebrated for its parks and green spaces and this accolade simply
confirms Pollok Country Park is a unique place of natural beauty.

"I would like to pay tribute to all the staff who have helped us win this award."

Pollok is at the centre of controversy as pressure on the council grows to veto
plans by adventure firm Go Ape to create a treetop playground.

Councillors are due to consider a planning application in the next couple of weeks
but it is believed they've already received hundreds of objections.

Land and environment executive director Robert Booth welcomed news of the
award as "fantastic".

He said: "We take great pride in our parks and this award is testament to what
we are doing.

"There is a mix of high quality amenities in Pollok including plenty of open space
for a walk in the woods, a mountain bike trail, the countryside rangers' centre,
the Burrell and Pollok House and hopefully Go Ape."

Pollok was judged against criteria including environment, access, maintenance
and community involvement for the Europe's best park award, which is organised
by international power products group Briggs & Stratton USA.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

Len Scaps · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject:

Not forgetting the children's play area

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One o' these days I'll pay ma poll tax

james73 · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject:

880 in bid to block Go Ape plan for city park

AN ANGRY group of more than 880 people have raised objections to the Go Ape
adventure course plan for Glasgow's Pollok Park.

The plans for the venture involving rope bridges and a 100ft zip slide 40ft above
the ground, will go before Glasgow councillors next Tuesday.

The planning committee could make a decision next week on the £900,000 application.

But because of the vast number of objectors, councillors are likely to agree
to a hearing to allow people for and against the application to state their case.

It is understood the vast majority of the objections are based on fears Go Ape
will disturb the peace and tranquillity of the South Side park.

Others relate to the lack of toilets and car parking needed to cope with a substantial
increase in visitors.

A total of 148 people have written to the council backing the adventure
course plan.

A council insider said: "There are a lot of professional objectors involved in
this but given the number of representations, it may well be the council
would consider a hearing.

"About 140 people have written in favour of the Go Ape plan which is significant
because it is not common for a large number of people to write in to support
a planning application."

Around 800 people recently took part in a silent protest against the aerial
assault course plan.

Campaigners say it will ruin a tranquil area and that the park, which was
gifted to the city by the Maxwell family, should not be used for commercial
gain.

http://urbanglasgow.co.uk/about370.html

James H
_________________
Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...