Residents of a Dundee community are being urged to get involved in early proposals which could see water and wildlife brought into the heart of a local green space, with improved opportunities for play and recreation as well as cycling, walking and wheeling.

Scottish Water, NatureScot and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are working in partnership with Dundee City Council to develop an exciting project to improve the way storm water is managed in St Mary’s, to reduce flood risk and provide a more multi-functional green space for the community. They are asking residents to help shape early proposals and ensure that the wider potential benefits for people who live and work in the area can be realised.

The initial proposals are centred on St Leonard Park and part of Balgowan Avenue Park, extending from St Leonard and St Fergus’ Church on Macalpine Road to Baldragon Academy on Harestane Road. A key element is to bring back the Back Burn which originally flowed through the area to join the Dighty Burn, until it was diverted underground over 50 years ago.

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A drop-in event is being held for local residents between 2pm and 7.30pm on Thursday 10 June in a large open tent which will be put up behind St Leonard and St Fergus' Church on St Leonard Place. Covid-safe measures will be in place and all are welcome to attend to find out more, comment and contribute ideas.

Local resident and Vice President of Abertay University Students Association Eddie Baines is one of three representatives of the local community who are involved in the project's steering group. Eddie said: "Our green spaces are hugely important and all too few. We’ve got to make the most of them but, at the moment, a large area of the park is waterlogged for a significant part of the year and unusable for things like exercising, playing or dog-walking.

"There's a great opportunity to do something positive about that, and to make other improvements too, but it’s vital for local people to get involved. If we can shape the plans and take ownership of the opportunities that exist, we can come together to look after the area better than the council can.

"Everybody's input is important at this stage. There are lots of great ideas to consider, but if people don’t agree with any of them, we need to hear that - and more ideas are welcome. This is an amazing chance to help redevelop our local green space to make it better for our kids and for everyone in our community."

The potential changes to St Leonard Park are the first stage of a wider storm water strategy for the area which has been developed in partnership by Dundee City Council and Scottish Water.