The Country Park officials are supportive of the Calderwood development and would like to see more people enjoy the under used park which they nickname: “West Lothian’s Hidden Secret”

In this section:

Profile : Mary Konik“Hello, my name’s Mary Konik and I’m the Country Park’s Senior Ranger, I’ve worked here since 1973. I think my mother probably instilled my love of nature, she would take me on long country walks, when I was a child, pointing out the various plants and wild life.

I got a degree in Agricultural Zoology at Glasgow University. I then applied for and got my fi rst job, as assistant ranger at this Country Park! I moved into a cottage in the grounds of the Park in 1975 and have lived there ever since, at one time I shared it with 5 cats. However, now I’m down to 2.

There is no typical day, like nature every day is different. I usually start the day by feeding the fi sh in the visitor centre aquarium and most days we have school visits. Pupils do various projects at the Park; plant types, river studies, different habitats etc. We also help special needs groups. The Park is a wonderful, soothing environment.

Most visitors use the Park to walk and relax, it’s a great tonic for a busy life style. We’re open 7 days a week and it would be nice if more people came and enjoyed this wonderful place. I look forward to being involved in consultation with Stirling Developments, on types of plants and habitat best suited to create new wild life areas within the new Calderwood development.”

 

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