Sandyhills Park can be found on the north side of Balbeggie Street, which is also home to a second smaller park on its south side, almost hidden by the trees beneath the four towers of the Sandyhills high rise development.

Over the period of a few months, the sign migrated from the centre of the entrance to the side. The paint splash on the left shows it's the same sign though.

The area occupied by Sandyhills Park was formerly home to a community of post-war prefabs, some of which can be seen in this photograph of the Sandyhills high rise flat development, from 1968.

Part of the high rise construction process involved the demolition of Sandyhills House, built in 1583 and centre of the Sandyhills Estate, to make way for a set of four 22 storey high rises. The only evidence that remains here is a section of the estate wall together with its gateposts, and its foundation dividing the flats from the smaller park.

A road connected this gate to a similar entrance and lodge on Baillieston Road, where a similar section of wall and gateposts may still be found where it meets with Glen Ogle Street.

Records relating to the roads that were stopped or no longer exist indicate that the area of the prefabs was reclaimed between 1975 and 1980, and this view from 2006 shows how the cultivation of the park has transformed the appearance of the area.

This final image combines the 1968 and 2006 images. Although the buildings have gone, the roads and paths can still be identified through the trees.

Courtesy of various aerial mapping sources, it's possible to compare a period 1970's streetmap and a current digital map with a 2003 aerial view of the land. While the digital map corresponds exactly, the earlier version fares less well, although that's no criticism of its quality, merely an indication of advances that have taken places in the past few years, thanks to the popularity of domestic GPS tools. These views show how roads were removed to make way for the park, and then later re-organised to accommodate additional housing developments. The yellow markers relate to the T signs to be described later.

Hi-res aerial view

Created as 2 parks in one, the land recovered from the prefabs was populated with wide grassy areas, planted with groups of trees and small bushes (but not flower beds) and criss-crossed with straight tarmac paths which could be walked or cycled. This would have been the park as seen by the casual visitor, or by anyone just using it as a short cut. Benches were also provided around the park, together with pieces of modern sculpture, and a large statue mounted on a raised plinth.

However, those who spent longer in the park would have discovered its second identity. Almost hidden within the areas of trees and bushes was an alternative set of paths, made of red ash, these formed a more winding, almost secluded route through the greenery. Not only did these paths provide a more attractive route, they were also designed to form the basis of an organised keep-fit or exercise routine. Arranged within these paths, a number of areas were set aside with space for visitors to carry out various exercises. Each area was provided with a sign, in the form of a large concrete T, carrying a numbered index plate and an instruction plate, complete with diagrams illustrating the exercise which could be carried out in the adjacent space.

Although not part of the exercise route, there is a small area adjacent to one of the main paths which was perhaps a play area. Its former structure is unclear now, as most of the wooden parts are rotten and been lost to vandalism, while the central mound has largely been stripped of its stonework.

Images have been deliberately mixed to show how the appearance of the park changes through the seasons.

The last feature of interest, hidden by bushes and trees towards the centre of the park, is a flat area of tarmac, surrounded by a metal fence on three sides. Although abandoned and unused now, it may have been intended as a play area with seating, as the open side leads to a wider area with grassy border.

This park was only to survive in its original form for a few years, as a small development of assorted single and double storey homes was to reclaim much of the area formerly occupied by the prefabs. As part of this change, an additional access road was cut through the centre of the park, its purpose being to provide access and turning for local buses between Ardgay Street and Balbeggie Street, as the existing roads within the area of the new development were narrow, and only suitable for private cars or minibuses. The park had absorbed most of the former Loch Katrine Street, and this returned in part as Lochay Street, however a short walk along the edge of this road, opposite the new houses, shows the remains of two of the park's former paths disappearing under the construction of this newer road. Records of the re-instatement of Loch Achray Street and the creation of Lochay Street show this development took place in 1992.

Over the years, the exercise route came to be forgotten, and the ash path, together with its T signs and other small details were neglected and allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. Most of these paths are now hidden, covered by layers of dead leaves, mud and silt washed over them from the verge. They can occasionally be hazardous to walk when wet, as much of the debris turns to slime when wet, together with much of the wooden edging of the paths and steps. A careless step can have your feet sliding away, resulting in a muddy end to a walk in this part of the park.

The T signs have also suffered from the effects of neglect. All have been vandalised to some extent, with the numbering and instructional plates being variously ripped off, lost, bent, or simply defaced and spray painted. Some remain standing, while others have been broken and lie on the ground. One was also lost/destroyed as a consequence of constructing the connecting road described above.

Although much of the seating is still in place, the remains of older benches can still be found where they have not been replaced when the woodwork rotted or was vandalised. The park is relatively quiet and pleasant for most of the time, however, perhaps not surprisingly, it provides a drinking area for local youths, and the bins, verges and bushes are host to the usual cans and bottles in depressing numbers. During the numerous visits to collect photos of the T signs which appear below, groups of youths were seen to leave the nearby high flats in the middle of the day, consume the alcohol they had brought with them, then return home. Although nowhere near them, on one occasion a particularly belligerent and noisy drinker seemed to take offence to our presence in the park, and started heading in our direction at one point, until called back by his friends.

One attempt at controlling problems in the park has been attempted, but is a dismal failure, and causes more damage than it prevents. Various removable posts have been located across many of the paths, intended to restrict vehicular access. Unfortunately, whoever thought their installation was a good idea, didn't quite realise the concept also requires their use in a location which precludes the miscreant simply driving around them. Sadly, two variants can be found taking advantage of this oversight. The first in the form of stolen cars, occasionally abandoned and burnt out here. The second in the form of the council's own Park's Department, whose maintenance vehicles drive around them, sinking into the verges and turf when wet.

Sculptures

Being metal, the sculptures have survived largely intact over the years, although various attempts have clearly been made to set fire to the wooden parts of their structure, and they are repeatedly subject to the attention of graffiti artists and taggers.

6 months later in 2006.

The final piece to be seen is the large sculpture/statue. Although this also remains intact, its former black finish has proven to be an irresistible invitation to the graffiti artists and taggers, who have covered it with their favourite drivel. As can be seen from the background, even the trees are subject to the same treatment. The statue is mounted on a concrete base, once hidden by stone blocks, these have also received unwanted attention and are slowly disappearing, stone by stone, as has the plaque, once mounted at the foot of the statue.

Contemplation, winter 2006.

The Exercise Route

The following section takes a walk along the remains of the exercise route and T signs, detailing their remains and surroundings. The position of each sign can be found marked in yellow on the maps shown above. It's very much an on-going work-in-progress, having started as a few random shots to record what was left. However, as each trip taken through the area revealed different details when the images were reviewed, it became clear that the there was more to be found. The biggest differences arose from the time of year, and some views have been selected to show how they changed depending on the season. The other main improvement would be to be have a few gallons of water and a brush handy, so that the mud and leaves could be cleared from some of the signs, and hands kept clean enough to handle the camera. Trying without, or just using gloves simply doesn't work if you value your camera.

T1 - Elbow Twists

The T1 number plate, decorated with graffiti, a fate which all the surviving plates have suffered. T1 and T9 are unique in that they are located together, and mark the start and finish of the route. As can be seen in the next picture, they are located adjacent to Strowan Street and provided with a convenient bench. Presumably of more interest to those who reached T9, rather than just arrived at T1. The tarmac area described above is only a few metres off to the right, along a path behind the bench. The blue box to the left is unrelated, and is only a rubbish bin.

T1 describes an exercises called Elbow Twists, and instructs the visitor to follow the sequence of Pause, Twist Right, Pause, Twist Left and then repeat the pattern eight times.

T1 and T9, located beside one another with the green T1 on the right. While T1 retains the plates carrying its number and exercise details, T9 has unfortunately lost both of these items over the years.

T2 - Unknown

The number plate for T2 is remarkably free of any serious vandalism or graffiti, although the adjacent detail plate has been lost, so there is no indication of the associated exercise.

T2 has no detail plate to show.

T3 - Lift

The T3 number plate, revealed after the mud was wiped away. Along with T4, this sign has been broken at its base, and lies on the ground, face up, and flat on its back.

The detail plate couldn't be read fully without further cleaning, and has been damaged by being bent up, then flattened back against its fixing. However, the diagram still shows that there was some form of beam provided in the area for the visitor to complete the lift exercise with.

T4 - Body Lift

The T4 number plate, revealed after the mud was wiped away. Along with T3, this sign has been broken at its base, and now lies face up on the ground.

T4 describes an exercises called Body Lift, and shows that the visitor was provided with equipment to carry out out two variants of the exercise, one easy, one more difficult. The procedure was to be repeated five times.

T5 - Bunny Jumps

The T5 number plate, still in place and only partly obscured by some graffiti.

The exercise described here is called Bunny Jumps, and appears to have been intended to be carried out over some low obstacles provided in the exercise area. Part of the sign has been lost, so there's no indication of repeats, or that may have been taken care of by the number of obstacles provided to be jumped over.

T6 - Sign Lost

This sign seems to have been destroyed by the road built to connect the section of Balbeggie Street left over from the original area, and connect it with Ardgay Street, to allow buses to connect with the turning point it contains.

T7 - Leap Feet

The T7 number plate. Although this has had graffiti applied to it, it almost looks as if someone has taken the time to clean it off most of the plate. This may be because it, and the exercise plate, don't appear to have been painted like the others, being left in their original plain metal finish.

This area was provided for an exercise call Leap Feet. There would appear to have been a single obstacle for the visitor to jump over, once, using their hands for assistance as indicated by the diagram.

T8 - Unknown

T8 has lost both its number plate and its exercise plate, so there's little to record, other than to note that the adjacent exercise area is relatively small.

T9 - Unknown

T9 has lost both its number plate and its exercise plate, so there's little to record. Perhaps it was only a simple reward for completing the course, and an invitation to relax on the nearby seat for 10 minutes.

Sandyhills Secret Park

After gathering the information about the main area of Sandyhills Park and the T Signs, something slightly odd was noticed on the other side of Balbeggie Street, below the high rise. There appeared to be a lamp post, of the style used for pathways, planted in the middle of a group of trees. Crossing over for a closer look showed that the lamp post did indeed belong to a path, even though it was largely hidden by a thick coating of moss, and fallen leaves. From the opposite side of the road, it looks like little more than a clump of trees, and doesn't invite much in the way of a second glance.

Following this path revealed it led to a number of small seating areas, each connected by further paths, which were also largely hidden under fallen leaves.

One of the seating areas is quite open, and provides a view across the street and on to the main park, while the other two are more secluded and hidden by the trees and bushes. Looking at the layout of the paths and seating, it's likely that the original design wasn't intended to be so secluded. If the overgrown trees and bushes were cut back, the outlook would be much improved, and this area would would be much more open and usable. As it is, the overgrowth and seclusion make the park quite intimidating for anyone that may want to sit there, as there's no way to tell who may be hiding there before approaching.

A second path, located further along from the first, leads to the open seating area, which also hosts a small metal sculpture. When new, the disc at the top of sculpture would have been free to spin. Today, it is solidly rusted in place.

From the main area, the path continues on to two further seating areas, one just above the main seating area, and the other at the end of the path.

The second seating area can be found at end of a path which leads above the main seating area.

The third and final seating area lies at the end of the main path, just below Sandyhills Road which passed just above.

The final picture above is taken from Sandyhills Road, and illustrates the hazardous position of the former entrance from the road. As will be seen from the following images, no pavement exists anywhere on that side of the road, and the bushes hide anyone exiting from the park. The entrance was no doubt removed on the basis that it was clearly dangerous, with the owner likely to be deemed liable in the event of any accident which could have been attributed to its existence. As there's no visible evidence, an estimate of the position needs to be made. Using the end of the sandstone wall as a reference, the entrance sits approximately one quarter of the way along the area of trees and bushes, to its right.

All that remains in Sandyhills Road is an area of tarmac leading from the edge of the road. Inside the park, the path ends at the third seating area, and there is no way to reach the road without climbing up on the ground behind the seat. Given the position of the lamp post, it's probable that the path originally led directly to the entrance, and the seat was added later, after the section of path leading to the entrance was removed. The final picture shows the lamp post, and seat, visible through the gap just over the kerb, which also mark the position of the former entrance.

The seats in the first secret area can be seen just above the main area. Although all the seats are robust, they have suffered some vandalism and graffiti, as has the surrounding area and a number of the tree trunks. As might expected, there is evidence of drinking, and although the area is buried in fallen leaves, empty pill containers (unidentifiable) could be found too.

It would be interesting to visit this little park in the summer (this visit took place in late autumn/winter), when greener, but is still unlikely to be particularly inviting, given the seclusion and semi-hidden areas, together with the scattering of cans and bottles.

Pruning takes place each year, and the undergrowth is cleared during winter. This can be seen in the two images of the Sandyhills Road Entrance above.⚠ (:WPCategoriesList:)