The Inspiration Behind the Woodroad Project

The Woodroad Regeneration Forum was set up in February 2007, by a group of residents from the Cumnock Area. The group is run entirely by volunteers whose ages range from 15 years of age to 75 years of age.

Following the closure of the swimming pool, rumours had circulated for many years about the demise of the Woodroad Park. Residents were concerned that this park would no longer be a place for recreation and that the lack of concern and interest in the park would lead to this being turned into a housing scheme or similar private development.

Over the years, the area had become a haven for drinkers and unsavoury activity. Dog fouling had become a major issue and children and adults alike no longer felt safe in the park.

One resident summed up the feelings of many in the public consultation.

“I would not let my dog up the Woodroad Park alone after 6pm at night”

So what did we do.

  • The group drew up a business plan and with the help of the local councillor submitted this for consideration to the council.
  • A meeting was held and the council gave the go ahead for the group to proceed and to see if the group could make the project work.
  • The group was formally established and charitable status gained in July 2007.

From there, we took Phase 1 in three steps.

 

STEP ONE was to find out if the project was needed and viable and to do this, the group commissioned a public consultation. This was funded by Investing in Ideas – part of the Big Lottery. The results of the consultation showed that a staggering 87% of those questioned felt the need for such a project in the area.


STEP TWO was to organise a full feasibility study. This was carried out by David Wilson Architects and looked at the park as a whole. The architects vision was similar to the vision of the group which encapsulated all of the expectations of residents in the area. This was funded by Awards for All.


STEP THREE – raise the money. We did this by fund raising as a group with raffles, bottle stalls and other activities. We approached small and large trusts and sought their financial assistance. Our main funder for Phase 1 was the Minerals Trust who saw the long term sustainability of the project and paved the way for other funders.