Friends of Newlands Park

The pond at Newlands Park was created in the 1930s as an ornamental feature, like many across UK cities in the mid-twentieth century. At this time, approximately six gardeners were employed at Newlands Park. They kept the pond and its perimeter clear of vegetation and visitors would sail model boats, a popular pastime.

The historic photograph above shows the pond as a very sterile body of water. Chemicals were almost certainly added to the water to keep it clean. Nowadays the plants in the pond act as oxygenators and keep the water clean.

Native plants were introduced into the pond in around 2010, as part of the Glasgow Living Waters Project, managed by Froglife. The aim was to conserve, enhance and create habitats and to protect species of national and local importance .

The pond has since been designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). It is part of a network of Local Nature Conservation Sites. It is locally important for natural heritage and at risk of damage if not carefully managed in accordance with conservation guidelines. Volunteers from Friends of Newlands Park work with biodiversity officers at Glasgow City Council to clear excess vegetation in the pond from time to time and to record wildlife and plant species.
 
Managing this small pond is part of Glasgow’s and Scotland’s wider effort to tackle climate change and species loss which, in the UK, is measured by the UN as having declined by 13% since 1971*.  

This page is a work in progress. Please check back soon to see images of some of the flora and fauna the pond supports.