DCSG aims to provide a diverse green space for the community of Douglas, where people of all ages can grow, play and enjoy in an attractive park that also works for the local community by draining excessive rainfall from the surrounding roofs and roads into the park, and away from the nearby Dighty Burn, preventing flooding. DCSG aims to provide a diverse green space for the community of Douglas, where people of all ages can grow, play and enjoy in an attractive park that also works for the local community by draining excessive rainfall from the surrounding roofs and roads into the park, and away from the nearby Dighty Burn, preventing flooding.
Douglas Community Spaces Group
Go To WebsiteAddressed Challenges:
- Flooding & drought
- Biodiversity loss
- Food security & supply
Action Areas:
- Built environment
- Nature & Biodiversity
Initiative Purpose:
Adaptation & Mitigation
The Story
Douglas Community Spaces Group, a committee of residents who individually are already involved in many initiatives across Douglas, formed in response to a need for green space in an area where the brownfield site would probably have been developed into more housing.
Working alongside Dundee City Council, funded by the National Lottery's Community Fund, and in partnership with T&N Gilmartin, the group have brought to life a vision of beauty and practicality. A large circular path that connects all the gateways into the park was designed with BikeAbility mind, a play park with accessible equipment so everyone has a chance to play, a multi-use gaming area for ball games and so many benches you can enjoy a different view every day for a fortnight - two of which will bear plaques dedicated to DCSG members who are not here to see the park completed.
We have already started our community engagement working in partnership with Alexander's Community Development Transition to Trade programme for school leavers and jobseekers to gain experience and qualifications in trade, and Broughty Ferry Men's Shed who have helped with our memorial benches.
Success & Outcomes
The park is soon to open, our successful engagement with the surrounding community will be evidenced by the continued respect and enjoyment of the park by all: both a lack of negative actions like vandalism and littering, and a gain of positive engagement with groups and individuals making use of the park. Environmentally, the success of the drainage infrastructure will be monitored against rainfall and, hopefully lack of, flooding of the Dighty Burn
Advice for others looking to do something similar
It's too easy to say "go get partnerships", the strength of the partnerships and engagement by committee members is key, along with clear communications - things are kept simple, clear, recorded and accountable. DCSG was very good at maintaining its position that "we are the client, we are the community" when planning objectives and priorities were at risk of being lost in the urgency to complete the task.
