The newly refurbished pond area at Royal Alexandra Hospital has reopened after work to radically transform the outdoor space. The pond has been transformed from an overgrown, neglected area into a peaceful haven where both people and nature can flourish.
Led by the NHS Greater Glasgow Sustainability Team, and using the expertise of award-winning landscape architects Erz, the ‘Pond and Beyond’ project – funded by the NHSGGC Endowment Fund and the Green Exercise Partnership – will see a huge range of improvements. Chief among these are biodiversity enhancement to help a range of flora, and fauna including bats, nesting birds such as swans, aquatic species and a variety of insects and pollinators.
Improvements include a new pathway circuit around the pond; new benches; an outdoor meeting space; natural play equipment; biodiverse woodland planting; a ‘living archway’ made from the canopy of existing trees; and bird and bat boxes to provide homes for wildlife. The pond has also been cleared of some of the vegetation that had become overgrown, creating a more stable, biodiverse ecosystem. The resident swans have returned and cygnets have been born recently. Other wildlife which has returned to the pond includes a heron, moorhens and ducks.
Gemma Kitson, Greenspace and Urban Realm Officer at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “This has been a fantastic project to be involved with and I want to thank our partners at Erz, the Green Exercise Partnership and NHSGGC Endowments for their incredible support.
“This stunning area has now reopened for staff, patients and visitors to enjoy. The beautiful space is open for users to take advantage of the mental and physical health benefits of spending time in nature. This might include taking a walk, holding an outdoor meeting, or just sitting and enjoying a peaceful moment.
“With summer, much of the space is in full bloom and it is truly a haven where both people and nature can flourish within the hospital campus.”
A limited amount of work on the boardwalk is still to be completed, with that aspect currently closed. A formal opening event will be held when the boardwalk work is complete.