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Unh@ppyb@st@rd · Single Fish Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 155

Pollok Park cant argue with best park in Britain

Alex Glass · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

Best Park in Europe

Pollok Park on Flickr
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ALEX G @ flickr

Stuball · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:52 am Post subject:

A park very worthy of the British & Europe titles

Particular fond of this shot...

Alot more pictures in the FLICKR SET and even more to be added to that when I finish processing.
(P.S. I'm trying to build up flickr clicks, so a browse through the set would make this old boy happy

)
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Now coming at you with 95% more significance, 1% less salt and virtually fat free!

FLICKR GALLERY

james73 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:53 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...

james73 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:53 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.

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

james73 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

Go Ape plan to fell trees 'will have neglible effect'

FELLING 27 trees to clear the way for an aerial playground is "negligible" when
forest bosses want to cut down 1000, campaigners were told today.

Tomorrow Glasgow councillors will see for the first time the details of the Go
Ape plan for Pollok Park which has led to almost 900 objections.

Steve Inch, development and regeneration executive director, has recommended
it gets the go-ahead and dismisses the vast majority of objections raised by
opponents young and old.

Go Ape intends to fell 27 trees, seven of which are dead, to allow for five zip
lines and to plant 54 trees elsewhere in the park.

Mr Inch says in a report: "There has been tree removal within the park amounting
to approximately 500 trees during recent thinning operations with the Forestry
Commission and the intention is to remove a further 500 trees.

"In this context, the quantity of the trees to be removed is considered negligible."

Campaigners also claimed trees would be damaged by the Go Ape plan and
that there is a problem with lack of toilets.

But councillors will be told special batons will ensure cables needed to support
the walkways and zip slides will not come into contact with trees.

And a 5m by 5m cabin, to be used as a reception area, will be built from logs
and will include a toilet.

Objectors have also claimed consultation with the public has been "woeful" and
have demanded a new consultation exercise be launched.

But Mr Inch stated that a six-week consultation was undertaken, including a public
meeting, direct mailing and website posting.

Environmental groups have claimed the development would affect protected
species such as bats, and bluebells which it is illegal to uproot.

But again their claims have been dismissed by Mr Inch, who said no bat roosts
would be affected and officials will ask to replant the bluebells elsewhere in
the park.

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

james73 · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject:

Go Ape verdict delayed for site visit

COUNCILLORS have delayed a decision on controversial plans for a tree-top assault
course in Pollok Park.

At a long-awaited meeting in Glasgow City Chambers over the plans to create
a Go Ape adventure course in the park, elected members voted for a site visit,
followed by a hearing, allowing both sides to have their say.

Councillors will visit the North Woods, the planned area for development, in
around a month.

Go Ape's plan is to create zip wires, rope ladders and bridges through the trees
for a three-hour experience, which would cost £25 for adults and £20 for children.

At a short debate over the issue, councillor for Newlands/Auldburn Jim McNally
brought up the idea of a site visit.

Chairman George Redmond recommended the site visit and hearing and members
agreed.

Today's meeting came after around 25 protesters from campaign group Save
Pollok Park gathered outside the meeting.

They oppose the development on grounds of ruining the peace and quiet, causing
problems for parking and toilets, and using for commercial gain a park gifted
to the city .

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

james73 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject:

Protesters Go Ape over park graffiti

GRAFFITI vandals have targeted a park at the centre of a massive row over plans
for an aerial assault course.

Stencilled red logos of an ape with a pound sign on its head - with the slogan
"No Ape" - have appeared on parking meters and signposts in Pollok Park in
the South Side of Glasgow.

It's the latest move in a long-running outcry over English firm Go Ape's proposal
to build an adventure playground in the trees, with zip wires, rope bridges and
ladders, in a three-acre area of the 360-acre park.

The city council is backing the proposal but it has been flooded with 900 letters
of objection.

The graffiti was today widely condemned by council bosses and the official
campaigners Save Pollok Park.

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

james73 · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

Burrell designers Go Ape at plans

Two of the architects of the Burrell Collection have spoken out against the proposed
development of a treetop adventure playground in Pollok Park.

Sir Barry Gasson and John Meunier said the Go Ape plans would destroy the
"magic" of the collection.

Councillors are to visit the site on Tuesday and will hear directly from the applicant,
supporters and objectors.

Go Ape said it would work with the local community to address any concerns
it may have.

The adventure course would be built in the north wood, behind the Burrell Collection.

Its architect, Sir Barry Gasson, said the building's design was chosen because
it was the only one which "visually engaged with the north wood."

He said the construction of a playpark would hamper the view from the Burrell
Collection, as well as affecting the light filtering into the building.

"It is fundamental that this north wood - old woodland on record for 250
years - is left undisturbed," he said.

"Once the 21st Century moves into these woods, then the Burrell will be different.

"Its magic will be gone."

John Meunier, now professor of Architecture at Arizona University, said: "We
wanted a design that would celebrate its sitting in Pollok Park, with views not
only from the outside but from the inside.

"We did not want to design a closed box.

"It would seem that concerns about proposed uses of the woods is appropriate,
should they reduce its light filtering capacity and/or the wood's participation
in the museum experience."

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

james73 · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject:

Go Ape plan gets the go-ahead

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a treetop adventure course in one of Glasgow's
favourite parks has got the go-ahead - despite almost 900 objections.

Members of the city council planning committee today decided by 14 votes to
six to approve the Go Ape adventure course in Pollok Park.

Earlier they had visited the site in the Park's North Wood to see for themselves
the impact it would have on vegetation and wildlife.

They were met by about 60 protesters from the Save Pollok Park campaign
who claim the aerial adventure course will shatter the peace and quiet of the
North Wood.

Many of them later packed a hearing in the City Chambers when planners,
objectors and bosses of Go Ape were allowed to state their case.

A total of 881 people formally objected to the Pollok Park plan although protesters
claimed they have a petition with a further 4000 people against the scheme.

Opponents included Deputy First Minister and Glasgow Govan MSP Nicola Sturgeon,
Tory MSP Bill Aitken, five community councils and the National Trust for Scotland.

There were also 148 submissions in favour of the plan which will result in 27
trees being felled and 54 trees planted in their place.

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