Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park, Stonehouse
Once a vibrant park and home to Scotland’s longest chute, Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park is need of renewal, having fallen into disrepair and been subject to river erosion. erz led a multidisciplinary team to develop a feasibility masterplan and forestry plan for the historic Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park and the adjacent historic woodland. The project is part of Forestry Commission Scotland ‘Woods In and Around Towns’ (WIAT) initiative, helping to encourage use and access of woods in urban areas.
To fully understand the needs of the local community, erz devised an engagement strategy that involved participating in local events such as Duck Races and Family Fun Days, dialogue with local schools and engagement via social media. We had a fantastic response from nearly 300 people, helping us understand how people use the park and what they wanted from it.
Based on the feedback, we created an ambitious and exciting masterplan and long term management proposals. The plan included reinstating the magnificent slide, restoring the Victorian bandstand and pavilion, creating a woodland education facility and radically improving accessibility within the park and woodland. In addition, arts trails, sports facilities, interpretation, campsites, furniture and shelters bring the park playfully into the twenty first century.
Client: The Friends of Stonehouse Park/Forestry Commission Scotland
Completion: 2017
Role: Landscape Architect / Lead Consultant
