An ambitious new 10-year draft management plan for Callendar Park, which sets out the future management, maintenance and improvement priorities for the park, has been approved by Falkirk Council's Executive.
The Callendar Park Management Plan 2024-2034 contributes to a number of the council’s priorities of supporting stronger and healthier communities and promote opportunities and educational attainment and reduce inequalities.
Callendar Park, a popular destination for visitors, boasts a wide range of recreational facilities and walking routes. The draft plan outlines six key management aims and outcomes to be achieved over the next decade:
- Enhance sense of arrival in the park
- Enhance sense of place within the park
- Improve park infrastructure
- Enhance the park's value to nature and climate change priorities
- Increase visits and activity provision
- Increase community engagement
The plan’s emphasis is to ensure the park is fit for purpose by safeguarding key assets, such as the B- listed stable block, improving activity provisions, and repurposing the old Par 3 course and pedalo pier area at the west end of the loch. Additionally, it aims to enhance accessibility through infrastructure improvements while protecting the park's unique cultural heritage.
Consultation with stakeholders and local communities took place from December 2023 to January 2024 and the draft plan reflects feedback from the 415 responses with 75% of participants agreeing that the proposed vision was appropriate for guiding the park's future development.
At the meeting on Thursday, 22 August, elected members also asked for further work to be carried out that would help recognise the historical and cultural significance of the location as well celebrating the park’s uniqueness.
Despite funding limitations, the draft plan sets out a need to identify alternative revenue generating opportunities and to continue to attract external funding to invest in this popular recreational and leisure destination.
The plan presents a clear vision and objectives for the park's management and enhancement over the next 10 years. It includes an action plan that prioritises key actions for Falkirk Council officers and stakeholders to evaluate on an annual basis, providing a framework for the park's development through partnerships.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said:
"Callendar park is a great community asset and the new plan aims to ensure that it develops in a way that it retains its character as well as being adaptable for ever changing uses. Our officers will work hard to find funding from external sources to help maintain it to its very high standards."