Public green spaces provide a range of benefits for communities, the environment and the local economy.

They provide opportunities for recreation, sport, play and social interactions and support wellbeing through encouraging healthy lifestyles.  They also contribute to a sustainable natural environment by providing vital habitats for wildlife and visually enhance the urban environment. 

The Council maintains a total of just over 973 hectares of urban open space.  We have 458 hectares of public parks and gardens, including nine regional sites for sport and outdoor recreation. 

We have nine regional parks

  • King George V Park, Bearsden
  • Colquhoun Park, Bearsden
  • Thorn Park, Bearsden
  • Bishopbriggs Public Park, Bishopbriggs
  • Huntershill Playing Fields, Bishopbriggs
  • High Park, Lennoxtown
  • Luggie Park, Kirkintilloch
  • Merkland Sports Pitches, Kirkintilloch
  • Lennox Park,  Milngavie

We also have three local nature reserves (LNRs)

  • Merkland Local Nature Reserve
  • Lenzie Moss Local Nature Reserve
  • Kilmardinny Loch Local Nature Reserve

These nature reserves provide a haven for wildlife and a resource for the local community.

You can view the Regional Parks and LNRs on the Regional Parks Map.

Included within our parks and open spaces are 43 sports pitches and two athletic tracks. Visit East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust for more information.

We also maintain all the sports areas within the nine secondary and 34 primary school grounds.  During the playing season and school terms, all sports pitches and athletics tracks are prepared and marked out to ensure they are ready for fixtures and curriculum needs.

Open Space Strategy

The open space strategy will be updated soon.

The Council’s Open Space Strategy 2015 – 2020 attached within the documents section was approved in January 2015 following a period of public consultation.  

All  councils are required to prepare an Open Space Audit followed by an Open Space Strategy. The Strategy sets the framework for current and future open space provision in the area and seeks to increase the quantity and quality of this resource.

The Open Space Strategy aims to detail the plans through partnership working that will ensure that open spaces are inclusive, accessible and 'fit for purpose'.  The opportunities for improvements to open spaces are set out by settlement area within the strategy.

We also have an Interactive Map of our Open Space Audit.

In September 2017, a Progress Report was produced to evaluate the opportunities delivered  during the first two years of the Strategy.

In recent years, upgrades have been carried out in the following areas:

2021

  • Peel Park, Kirkintilloch
  • Lennox Park, Milngavie
  • Afton View, Kirkintilloch
  • Falloch Park, Milngavie

2022

  • Doune Crescent , Bishopbriggs
  • Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch
  • Meadowburn North, Bishopbriggs

2023

  • Mosshead Road, Bearsden,
  • Etive Park, Bishopbriggs

2024

  • Torrance Main Street, Torrance
  • Taig Road,  Waterside
  • Dougalstone Gardens North, Milngavie
  • Keystone Park, Milngavie

 

Partnership projects and Funding

The Council also works with local groups to develop community play facilities or to upgrade existing play areas to meet changing community needs and has successfully helped a number of groups to secure funding for this. 

Any communities or groups who are interested in becoming involved in developing their parks or play facilities should contact the Streetscene Team on 0300 123 4510 or by email to customerservices@eastdunbarton.gov.uk.