A derelict stretch of former industrial land close to the River Clyde is being transformed into a stunning community garden.
The urban oasis is taking shape at the SWG3 arts venue complex in Yorkhill.
The Garden sits at the split in the railway lines that run into the city from the west, and has been made possible thanks to more than £500,000 in public money and charitable foundations.
SWG3 says the space will be thrown open to the public on a daily basis from next spring.
Andrew Fleming-Brown, MD of SWG3, said: “We’re delighted to be able to reveal our plans for The Garden.
'Community'
“It’s an integral part of our vision in creating a truly world class cultural and circular campus, as well as an exciting way for SWG3 to become even more involved with our local community.
“As a project, The Garden holds so much potential to collaborate, learn and create and we can’t wait to welcome visitors later in the year.”
SWG3 says the wasteland was redesigned in consultation with neighbours, resident artists, staff and the wider local community.
The Garden’s development has been led by horticultural and design expert Jeremy Needham, and follows COP26 when the venue hosted The New York Times’ Climate Hub.
A miniature forest of indigenous plants and trees was donated by the global institution following a powerful installation in SWG3’s Galvanisers space by artist Es Devlin.
A spacious outdoor terrace stretching out beneath the Warehouse windows has also been built featuring a sculpture designed by award-winning Scottish artist Jaqueline Donachie.
It’s an integral part of our vision in creating a truly world class cultural and circular campus, as well as an exciting way for SWG3 to become even more involved with our local community.
Andrew Fleming-Brown
The work so far is only the first phase of what is intended for the space.
The venue says it wants to “unlock not only the potential of the SWG3 site and its people, but also the surrounding areas and beyond, using arts, creativity and nature to help tackle poverty and climate change”.
It says it hopes the garden is a space “where everybody from local residents to tourists and artists with their touring parties can relax, socialise and connect with nature”.
Funders include the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and the VKR Foundation.
Richard Williams, Business Development Manager at VELUX, said: “It’s a privilege for VELUX to be part of this project, which will provide the local community with much needed green space and somewhere to come together.
“Myself and fifteen colleagues from our regional office, are looking forward to getting stuck in and planting some trees and helping this worthy initiative.”
'Tremendous'
John McGuire, international sales director at Altaterra, said: “This is a project very close to my heart and I am delighted the Foundation could support this tremendous initiative which will be beneficial both to the people of Glasgow and the local environment.
“We are all extremely proud that we could play a part in the funding but also ‘getting our hands dirty’ in the development of The Garden.”
