The pond and garden project at the RAH in Paisley.
By Lucy Ashton
You may never have seen it from the vast car park that climbs the hill up to the front doors of the local hospital.
But work to transform the pond at the Royal Alexandra Hospital are nearing completion, with the project set to be complete by spring. Construction work at the pond commenced last autumn, but only after the team allowed the cygnets of a family of swans to fledge without disruption.
Led by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Sustainability Team, and employing the expertise of award-winning landscape architects Erz, the £245,000 ‘Pond and Beyond’ project has been funded by the NHSGGC Endowment Fund and the Green Exercise Partnership.
Gemma Kitson, Greenspace and Urban Realm Officer at NHSGGC said: “As we move into spring, vegetation around the pond will begin to grow and turn it into a green haven for people and wildlife alike. The area will be a peaceful and relaxing spot, ideal for a short walk or for spending some time sitting outside.”
One of the most striking features includes a pathway leading through the naturally formed and recovered ‘living archway’, which is set to be a highlight of many social media posts.
Other improvements include:
• Landscaping of the whole site, to make it an attractive, accessible area for all.
• Maintenance and improvements of the pond and its existing wetland and aquatic habitats.
• Assembly of a jetty on to the pond to act as a viewing area, with appropriate safeguarding/railing.
• Creation of a boardwalk and wayfinding over the wetland area to allow for walking and wheelchair access around the pond.
• Creation of an outdoor teaching area on the south bank of the pond.
• Creation of new pedestrian and wheelchair access to the hospital site/pond area from nearby Victoria Road.
• Biodiversity enhancement to help a range of flora, and fauna including bats, nesting birds such as swans, aquatic species and a variety of insects and pollinators.
The works will also see the creation of new habitats such as wildflower areas and the construction of an outdoor eating area. Food growing beds outside the hospital’s dining room, and an outdoor gym area are also planned.
In addition, it is hoped the pond area will eventually be part of a campus-wide network of walking routes, linking indoor walkways and outdoor spaces, so patients, visitors and staff, and the wider community, can all benefit from a stroll in the fresh air.
The project is part of a range of environmental and sustainability projects across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in response to the climate emergency, and allowing the board to meet or potentially exceed, and provide best practice examples for, statutory biodiversity and sustainability requirements.
Gemma added: “It has been well known for many years that time spent in the outdoors has huge benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing, so I’m delighted that this stunning new space will soon be available for patients, staff and the wider community to enjoy.”
The Green Exercise Partnership (GEP) is supported by the Scottish Government and is a collaboration between NHS boards, Public Health Scotland, NatureScot and Scottish Forestry. Its aim is to improve the quality and accessibility of greenspace in and around NHS sites – and working alongside experts such as the GEP and Scottish Forestry, NHSGGC can reap benefits both now and in the future.