WATCH: Historic Grangemouth park regeneration steams ahead

There is so much going on at the historic Grangemouth park at the moment, Richard Broadley, Falkirk Council’s planning and environment manager and Allana Hughes, Zetland Park Regeneration Project manager invited The Falkirk Herald along for a tour.

Allana said: “Zetland Park is the heart of Grangemouth and people really love this park.”

And what’s not to love?

From the war memorial, to the historic fountain and the paddling pond, there is so much history in the park.

While the memorial itself was refurbished relatively recently, the area surrounding it is in poor condition so it will be upgraded – and illuminated – to allow disabled people better access to the memorial.

Everyone’s favourite eyesore, the paddling pond, will be transformed into a natural looking – albeit man made – water feature similar to the pond at the town’s Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre.

And the historic fountain – the only surviving remnant from the original park – will be restored to its former glory, with a replica of the mysterious missing lady sculpture returned to the top tier where it once was.

The ambitious regeneration project is seeking to not only preserve and promote the history of the park, but also to create new features.

One of the most exciting projects – if the faces of Moray Primary School pupils who visited the park were anything to go by – is the new all inclusive play area, which will feature a play friendly replica of Grangemouth’s historic paddle steamer the Charlotte Dundas.

The new pump track will be able to be enjoyed by cyclists and inline skaters and could be used by by both clubs and individuals for fun or in competitions.

“It will be the biggest pump track in the Falkirk area and will attract a lot of people,” said Allana.

A new permanent stage will be used for the annual crowning ceremony on, Grangemouth Children’s Day, of course, but it will also be able to be used all year round for official and unofficial performances and displays.

Allana said: “We hope the community will also enjoy it as a facility for informal performances and schools can come and use it too. It’s been designed to be part of the landscape – like a sculpture in its own right.”

Richard added it was hoped the main capital works will be finished by September or October next year – and this includes the upgrading of the park’s pathways.

People have the opportunity to purchase bricks – or dedication stones as they are known – which they can have special messages put on to form part of the new Portonian Way path.

It is a way for people to become part of the park forever and there are still bricks – or dedication stones as they are also known – available for Christmas if you want to leave you mark on the park.

“Some of the messages we have had on the stones so far are fantastic,” said Allana.

Visit www.facebook.com and search Zetland Park Regeneration Project or e-mail [email protected] for more information.