Scents & Sensitivities Phase I
As part of the development of Auchinstarry Basin near Kilsyth, The Waterways Trust Scotland has worked with the local community to create a sensory garden and nature trail.
The area surrounding the basin has quite steep sloping embankments and pathways needed to be created to make the site accessible. Now, a zig-zag path leads walkers through a host of plants chosen to delight the range of senses, to the top of a slope where they can sit and enjoy the views across the Forth & Clyde Canal.
The garden and trail have been divided into four different zones - sight, touch, hearing and smell with specific flowers and shrubs planted in area.
Sustainable materials have been used throughout the project to further enhance the natural environment. One example is the seating area where timber from old lock gates has been recycled to create the seats.
Hedgerow species have also been planted to encourage nesting birds, wild flower meadow has been created and further woodland planting provide more habitat variety whilst also screening the area from the adjacent road.
The centre piece to the trail is a sculpture created by artist Barry Grove. Members of the public voted on which design they wanted and the resulting creation provides a stunning focal point at the basin.
Artist Robert Coia has also created two dramatic seats for the garden which feature water-based animals and creatures, including an eye-catching mermaid.
Sense & Sensitivities in numbers
- £123,000 raised for environmental improvements
- 2,882 shrubs and trees planted
- 204 children and adults involved in creating the garden
- 245 metres of footpath improved
- 90,000 visitors since opening of basin
Funders: Scents & Sensitivities Environmental Improvement Project was made possible due to funding from Big Lottery, Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN), The Miss Agnes H Hunter's Trust, Central Scotland Forest Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, The Tubney Charitable Trust, the James and John Napier's Trust, The Environmental Key Fund (which is supported by North Lanarkshire Council, North Lanarkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund, Western Scotland Object 2 2000-2006 programme) and Selwood.
|
