The park will also feature several burns, ponds with 3,600 new wetland plants and two play areas, including a climbing forest. BAE Systems has worked with Scotland’s nature agency, NatureScot, to encourage thriving ecosystems and provide new habitats for diverse native wildlife species to live on or near to the Dargavel Village development.
Central Park will also feature eight public entrances and provide a venue capable of hosting the annual ‘Bishopton Day’ gala. Ground was broken to start the final stage of the park’s development during a ceremony on Friday attended by Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, Gavin Newlands, Renfrewshire North and West MSP, Natalie Don, and Heather Morton and Liz Pollard from BAE Systems.
Liz Pollard, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Shared Services, said:
“We’re pleased to enhance the area for the local community and the delivery of Central Park is a key element in our regeneration programme. The park is designed to be a high quality public area and a vibrant community hub where families and friends can meet, children can play and people can enjoy nature.”
Gavin Newlands, Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, said:
“Green spaces are widely known to have a lasting positive impact on individuals, improving physical and mental well-being, as well as on communities by bringing people together. Central Park will be an incredible asset not only to the local community in Dargavel and Bishopton but also to the whole of Renfrewshire. As a local resident, I look forward to enjoying the park with my family for years to come.”
Natalie Don, Renfrewshire North and West MSP, said:
“I am really pleased to see the development of Central Park enter its final phase. Access to beautiful greenspace areas has been a priority for the community since the start of the Dargavel development, so it is great to see this progress. I am sure once fully complete this will be a fantastic and welcoming space for the whole community to enjoy.”
The public are set to be given access to the new park from 2026.