Don't Let Balloch Castle Country Park Sink
Investment project code: 3
https://ballochparkregen.co.uk/
Immerse Balloch Castle Country Park's one million annual local & international visitors in nature recovery by putting Riverwoods action & education at the heart of this unique Park's critical restoration. Harness the local community's love of the Park to help achieve healthy, vibrant riparian woodland networks in the world famous Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
This 217 acre country park almost has it all:
- river, burns, loch lomond, beaches, slipway;
- extensive native woodland, outstanding veteran trees, designed parkland, walled garden;
- red squirrels, an array of wild fish species;
- A-Listed castle, gatehouses, playparks; &
- easy access by train, bus, bike and car from Glasgow.
Yet while annual visitor numbers have soared from 400,000 in 2003 to an estimated million now, this vast Park is suffering a rapid 'managed' decline - abandoned & sunken watercraft, riven with problem non-native, self-seeding conifers & bamboo, erosion undermining woodland, mature trees and paths. Anti-social behaviour & littering, no café, accessible toilets or shop, deteriorating fenced off castle, minimal organised education, events or volunteering opportunities, & substantial negative impacts associated with a huge increase in footfall.
The Park and its bonnie banks are visitor magnets but these outstanding natural & capital assets currently generate no income for reinvestment in the Park. As well as international visitors, it serves some of the most deprived areas of Scotland. Owned by Glasgow City Council and leased to West Dunbartonshire Council, Balloch Castle Country Park is sinking and desperately needs vision and resources now.
https://www.facebook.com/Ballochcastlecountrypark
Our Balloch Park: https://vimeo.com/764966107/3a04ec5a56
Location: Balloch Castle Country Park is the accessible southern gateway to the world famous Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Documents (3)
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Download file
Park Users' Survey Results
VND.OPENXMLFORMATS-OFFICEDOCUMENT.WORDPROCESSINGML.DOCUMENT | 2.8 MB -
Download file
West Dunbartonshire Council Letter of Support
PDF | 140 KB -
Download file
Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association Letter of Support
PDF | 600 KB
Can I clarify to what extent does the improvement plans for Balloch Country Park by the Council already cover Riverwoods restoration action? I’m trying to clarify where what the Council does stops, and where the additional work from this project would begin. Thanks in advance.
This is a very good question, thank you. In terms of the River Leven and Loch Lomond, I understand the Council is not responsible for removing derelict watercraft or other pollution. The Council organises volunteer programmes and engages with local businesses to encourage support to remove invasive species. They also have a contractor who has been cutting bamboo. Staff and dedicated BCCPRG volunteers litter pick most days in the woods and on the shore. I'm sure you will know Council resources are very limited and under a great deal of pressure. The Park is very obviously deteriorating if you look beyond the veneer of the mowed lawns, stunning views and walled garden and it is now critical to take a fresh look at how the community and others can support the statutory authorities to reverse the decline and find ways to generate income to reinvest in the Park and make the most of the opportunity to engage with million or so visitors in nature restoration and climate action.
Good luck folks! I would be interested in getting more involved. Can you let me know how I can do that please?
Thank you. The Park needs all the help, ideas and enthusiasm it can get. Drop us a message through the BCCPRG website or email us at bccpregengroup@gmail.com. We have a committee & member meeting with a packed agenda on Nov 14 & you would be very welcome to join us. In the meantime, please encourage everyone you know to VOTE for the Park.
Will be great to see all those sunken boats removed , owners should be tracked down and charged a fee for removal and a fine for pollution.Those retail properties that are beside the bridge should be used for promotion of the park and community projects like the Celtic festival and historical information etc
how many hectares of land is being committed to be investigated for market suitability to support change, from its current use, to nature restoration? It seems that the whole site is already a country park., with accessible woodland and meadows established across a good proportion.
Thanks for your interest David. This wonderful country park does indeed include accessible and deteriorating riparian woodland and wildflower meadows. The 2.5 f-t equivalent Council staff responsible for looking after the 217 acres and all its historic built assets do the best they can with very limited and diminishing local authority resources. Members of the local community have come together this year to form our Regeneration Group to start a journey that will hopefully help stem the deterioration and encourage the two key Council stakeholders to explore new ways of managing the Park that could engage new investors, stop the Park from being a 'drain' on Council resources and find a way to restore the environment, make the Park self-sustaining, employ more staff and emerge as a beacon for wellbeing and tackling the nature and climate emergences.
In one of the highest poverty LA areas in Scotland having access to a well managed park is essential for mental health and wellbeing. This castle could make a wonderful space for a place to stop in on a dreich day. Be great to see the woodlands managed too and native species protected.
Agree Pauline. If community engagement and education are key to rolling out riverwoods restoration action across the National Park area and beyond then we believe Balloch Park presents a unique opportunity.