LEISURE & RECREATION

Caldercruix Countryside and Nature Park

The Park is at the end of the North Calder Heritage Trail.   Caldercruix is 4 miles east of Airdrie on the Airdrie to Bathgate Road (A89). From Airdrie go just beyond the turn-off for the village and turn left at the old Truff Inn.

Caldercruix is a Community Park and is managed by local volunteers. It has been developed as a place for local people and visitors to enjoy the countryside. It was established in 1996 with land leased form British Waterways and Alexandria Industrial Estates.   With funding from North Lanarkshire Council and Wisestart and with the support of many other organisations - the park took shape.

There is now a play area for children, new and upgraded paths to explore and artworks celebrating the history and wildlife of the area.

The park is made up of grassland and woodlands.  amongst these grasses grow many wildflowers, including the common spotted orchid.  wild flowers are also a feature of the nearby bog, rich in mosses, heathers and lichens.  The most common tree in the park is the hawthorn.  The tallest are beech trees and a few Scots pine - a legacy from the grounds of Hillend House.  

The park is also home to a variety of birds including the lovable blue tit, chaffinches and warblers.  Along the river you can expect to see a wagtail, dipper or heron.  On Hillend reservoir ducks and geese are seasonal visitors between October and April.

History

In the past there was a major Print works - Glengowan print Works - where the play park is today. It drew water from the river to wash the silk cloth that was printed there. One of the old print works ponds can still be seen today.

The are at the dam bank was the grounds of Hillend House which was built for the manager of the Forth and Clyde Canal just after the dam was finished in 1799.  hilled reservoir was built to supply water to the Forth and Clyde and Monkland canals - as it still does today.

Vision of the Committee
"Our aim is to continue to improve the park for the enjoyment of local people and visitors. Ideas for the park include extensions to cover the whole of the Printworks site - more new paths - more tree planting - develop Glengowan reservoir as wildlife pond . Above all we want to increase people's involvement in the park"

"We need volunteers to help us with the many practical jobs"

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Caldercruix Countryside and Nature Park Committee
C/o Caldercruix Community Centre
Progress Drive
Caldercruix  ML6 7PP
Tel ./FAX: 01236 843503