Bailie Gerald Leonard, on behalf of the Lord Provost, Frank McAveety, the MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, along with Scott Livingstone and James McLintock, two apprentices who helped build the park, pulled a Christmas cracker to signal the official handover.

The £800,000 project has seen the transformation of derelict land between Shettleston Road and Westmuir Street, Parkhead.

The park has sections aimed at all of the community; from toddler play and trail play areas, to a skate park. An events terrace, as well as, an events/ kick about area has also been created within the park, which can be used for various community activities and social gatherings. The garden space areas of the park will also allow residents to relax and escape the noise and activity in this bustling Glasgow neighbourhood.

Local residents and schoolchildren from three primary schools – St Mark’s, Quarry Brae and St Michael’s – who have been involved in the project throughout the consultant and construction attended the event. There was music from St Andrew’s Secondary High School brass band and a performance from the Breakthrough Theatre Company, Christmas treats, fun and games, as well as, a visit from Santa Claus.

It is hoped that the park will help the overall regeneration, both physical and social, of the East End – a key priority of Glasgow City Council. The park is a development undertaken by Kelvin Clyde Greenspace, an environmental project with the Council’s Development and Regeneration Services.

As part of the project to transform the site, the contractor, Land Engineering Ltd, recruited trainees with the help of the East End Partnership. The trainees, all from the local area, have gained invaluable experience in a wide range of landscaping and construction skills, which will be invaluable in today’s job’s market.

Bailie Leonard said: “This is a wonderful example of the community and the Council working together to ensure a great project was realised.

“This park will be an outstanding resource and new greenspace for everyone to enjoy. It is a wonderful Christmas present to all of those who have worked so hard to make this a reality.”

Mr McAveety said: “Beardmore Park is another important piece in the ongoing regeneration of the East End which is seeing huge physical changes to this area.

“This park is an excellent example of what can be achieved when local people are involved in creating a community space that is individually tailored to their needs.”

Seamus Connolly, Project Officer at Kelvin Clyde Greenspace said: “Beardmore Park is the culmination of over two years hard work by the local community, Glasgow City Council and partnership organisations.

“By ensuring that the local communities views and aspirations for the area were taken on board throughout the project, we hope the park can become a real focus and valuable asset to the east end”

Charles Campbell, Chairperson of the Friends of Beardmore Park, a group made up primarily of local residents and interested parties said “ We are absolutely delighted with what will be a tremendous facility for children and parents alike.

“We have already organised our first event involving over 100 hundred local children staging a drama performance in the park in March 2006. A calendar of events is also planned to suit all age groups and encourage people to use the park positively”

The park, which was designed by City Design Co-operative, has received funding from Kelvin Clyde Greenspace, Glasgow Clyde Valley Greenspace Trust, EDEN, Parkhead Housing Association, Glasgow City Council’s Development and Regeneration and Land Services Departments, East Centre Area Committee Greenspace Scotland, Transforming Your Space – The Big Lottery, The Robertson Trust, Communities Scotland, Landfill Tax, East End Social Inclusion Partnership and the Scottish Executive.

The Park is also a great example of partnership working within Glasgow City Council with five departments, Development and Regeneration, Social Work, Land Services, Cultural & Leisure Services and Education, working with the local community on various aspects of the project to ensure delivery of quality greenspace and play areas.