Cash boost for popular Paisley park

Mar 14 2012 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

A MUCH-LOVED Paisley park is in line for a major overhaul after a £150,000 revamp grant was given the thumbs-up by Renfrewshire Council.

Barshaw Park – currently in its centenary year – is popular with families from all over Renfrewshire, and the gala day alone attracts more than 7,000 people each year.

Renfrewshire Council leader Brian Lawson is now looking forward to getting the work started – and completed.

He welcomed the decision of the Council’s Environment Board to approve the spending of £150,000 on improvements to the massive 58-hectare park.

Councillor Lawson, the member for Paisley East and Ralston, told the Express: “The money was allocated in our budget a few weeks ago and now we are putting the finishing touches to our plans for the park.

“We will be looking at refurbishing the bowling green pavilion for community use, repairing the fencing and generally improving the appearance of the park.

“At 58 hectares, Barshaw is one of our biggest and best parks.

“It is extremely popular and attracts visitors from all over Renfrewshire and beyond. The tearoom is well used and we recently installed new public toilets.

“The golf course is very popular with local golfers and the pond is a favourite of both children and adults.”

And the council leader revealed how external funding will also play an integral role in the park’s refurbishment.

He said: “We will also be looking to the Lottery and a range of other external funders to match-fund the council’s investment.

“We want to make our money go as far as possible. This is Barshaw Park’s centenary year and preparations are also under way to mark this occasion.”

Will Mylet, SNP candidate for Paisley East and Ralston and who works alongside Brian Lawson within the ward, said: “As a child, I always looked forward to my visits to the park.

“I now have two young children of my own and take them to the park on a regular basis.

“They love doing all the things I did as a kid, which includes visiting the pond and the animals in the nature corner.

“When the refurbishment work is complete, the people of Renfrewshire will have a park to be proud of.”