Grounds for Play 2002-2004

The third competition project, which began in 2001, involved turning a small play park, close to the House, into an imaginative, highly original, and challenging space for children to enjoy all forms of play.

‘Grounds for Play’ opened to the public in June 2004. Unlike many of the traditional play parks, this one is unique - the overall park design concept and each individual play object have been specifically designed for this space by talented individuals.

A competition was organised at the beginning of 2001 for invited architects, artists and designers and this resulted in the production of a number of high quality proposals for innovative, play-related objects which are now situated within a very imaginative landscaped area.

An overall scheme designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects, an award-winning firm based in Glasgow, was chosen as the winning entrant. Their winning concept was a carpet of leaf-like mounds on which, they imagined, would sit a range of play and art objects.

A number of creative people were commissioned to design the objects which are now incorporated in the park. The innovative artists and their associated play objects are:

Graeme Andrew - CLOUDS
Katy Barac - ARENA & JELLY BABIES
Colin Macleod & Galgael Trust - GOVNU'S HOOSE & TOTEM POLE
Tassy Thompson - THE MINI FOREST & SKARA BRAE
Elspeth Bennie - PEACE CAIRN SCULPTURE & BUG SWINGS
Alex Rigg & Trevor Leat - BELLAHOUSTON SHIP & TREE SEATS
Carlos Peralta & Liliana Rodriguez - THE LIVING ROOM
Lorraine Aaron - THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

They were assisted by the following skilled craftspeople:

HECTOR MCGARVA
ALAN KEAN
ROBERT COIA
CLYDE CRAFT
STUDENTS FROM THE COLLEGE OF BUILDING AND PRINTING
JOHN BROWN
THOMAS JOHNSTONE LTD
HUNTER AND CLARKE LTD
MARTIN ORR & DAVE PAIN

The House would like to thank the following organisations for their sponsorship:

THE TRADES HALL OF GLASGOW
THE ROBERTSON TRUST
THE SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL
THE HUGH FRASER FOUNDATION
SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE GLASGOW
SOUTH WEST AREA FORUM, GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL
CULTURE & LEISURE SERVICES, GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL
HANSON BRICK

Some of the artists worked closely with the schools and youth groups in the area in order to learn what the young people wanted to see in their local play park. They had some wonderful ideas and a lucky few were able to see their ideas developed into a finished play object. This was made possible through funding from the Scottish Arts Council - Children and Young People Scheme. Artist Tassy Thompson worked with a number of children taking their concepts through design stage, manufacturing and finally installation. Their finished play object, The Mini Forest, is now one of the most popular features in the Park.

The House would like to thank the following schools and youth groups:

BELLAHOUSTON NURSERY AND PRIMARY
BELLAHOUSTON ACADEMY
IBROX PRIMARY
MOSSPARK PRIMARY
ST PAULS HIGH SCHOOL - XL TEAM
WHITEFIELD MAD SQUAD YOUTH CLUB

The play park has brought Bellahouston Park to life and it is a joy to watch the many children who visit this unique play area, laugh and use their imagination to have fun!