A new uplighting feature showcasing several varieties of trees and the Bruce Cairns in Hazlehead Park has been officially switched on.
Aberdeen Football Club player Stuart Armstrong joined Friends of Hazlehead Park, every pupil at Hazlehead Primary School, Aberdeen City Council officials and leaders, and a host of community neighbours and friends for the unveiling last night. The Scottish Cup was also on display which Mr Armstrong posed for photographs with people attending.
It was the last event of the current Friends of Hazlehead Park group, which is retiring after 12 years at the helm having raised, attracted, and invested more than £750,000 for the benefit of the park.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “The new uplighting showcases some of the best features at Hazlehead Park which includes its huge variety of mature trees and the historic Bruce Cairn artworks.
“I am sure people will particularly appreciate it with the days getting darker much earlier from now until spring and it is a feature unique to Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen with the lighting colours changing with the seasons.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “I want to thank the Friends of Hazlehead Park, not only for this brilliant new lighting feature, but also for their tremendous fundraising efforts through the years. They have made a real positive difference.
“Hazlehead Park wouldn’t look half as good today if it wasn’t for all the fundraising they’ve carried out which has allowed Council staff to carry out the improvements. The current and past Friends members deserve a round of applause – and a well-earned break – for everything they have done.”
The funds raised has meant a wealth of improvements at the country park over the years that would not have happened without the Friends. The Friends group has held countless events as part of the fundraising endeavours over the years from Hazlehead Park’s Christmas Winterwonderland to the Annual Fundraising Ball, with one of the most unusual fundraiser taking more 40 local runners to take part in the New York Marathon.
Donald Shaw, the Chairman of Friends of Hazlehead said, “It’s been a long and winding, but exciting and hugely satisfying road (with lots of learnings) for the Friends of Hazlehead, starting from scratch, establishing a not for profit charity, developing both short term and longer term plans for the park, building a fundraising strategy and supporting stakeholder management plan, to ultimately delivering multiple value adding projects to the park.
“After 12 years, we have now completed all of the major projects we set out in our original plans and lots more, so we feel it is the right time for the current Friends team to retire and pass on the baton to a new a refreshed group of Friends. The current Friends of Hazlehead members will be on hand to give guidance and advice when a new Friends group is established.”
Highlights by the current Friends group over the last 12 years include:
- Recent Hazlehead Heritage Tram Shelter refurbishment;
- Replanting in the Queen Mother Rose Garden;
- Mediterranean Garden refurbishment;
- Refurbishment of forest core paths;
- The Avenue refurbishment;
- Refurbishment of the Queen Mother Rose Garden fountain;
- Azalea pathway;
- Installation of several park signs and interpretation boards;
- Pets’ Corner refurbishment;
- Red squirrel attraction and interpretation project;
- Running track refurbishment;
- Play area park benches and Avenue running track park benches;
- Remembrance picnic area tables and remembrance cast iron benches;
- Carved sculptures – Gruffalo, squirrel, spider, octopus, cat, rhino, rabbit, frog etc;
- Hazlehead Primary School – school value carvings and learning bench;
- Bruce Cairn artwork refurbishment, feature lighting, and power supply to fountain;
- Gifting funding to the Council towards the park toilets refurbishment, including disabled toilet facilities (opening soon);
- Regular community litter picks.
Hazlehead Park is the largest park in Aberdeen at 180 hectares, and is one of the oldest and most historical properties in the city with Royal connections dating from Robert The Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots. It is one of the best places in the city to spot red squirrels as well as boasting a huge playpark, popular café, and Pets’ Corner. In the summer months, approximately 10,000 roses are in majestic bloom in the Queen Mother Rose Garden alone.