Early stages
The countryside around the Barrhead dams and north through Waulkmill Glen and Darnley Mill towards Nitshill Road has been used for many years by local residents for walking, cycling and fishing. Glasgow City Council Countryside Ranger Service also uses Darnley Mill for environmental education activities.
Both East Renfrewshire and Glasgow City councils recognise that the area's potential as a leisure and environmental resource is not being fulfilled and as a result have agreed to work together to develop and manage the area as a new country park called Dams to Darnley. Access to the area is constrained and inadequate, there are limited path routes and public transport options, whilst stopping and parking places are few.
An indicative country park masterplan was agreed following public consultation in 2004. The masterplan provides a framework that identifies broad proposals based around access, biodiversity and infrastructure improvements.
A joint committee met for the first time in May 2006, and the initiative now has a project officer and two countryside rangers.
Limited facilities exist within the country park already, enabling activities such as walking and cycling to be enjoyed and these will be developed over time.