A NEW community project will see southside children transforming their urban landscapes into one big playground this summer.
The Tramway's Outside Art venture launched on Monday.
Sessions at St Andrew's Drive deck access flats, Govanhill Park, and Maxwell Park will see children learning parkour – running, climbing and balancing on obstacles like benches, rocks and rails in city streets.
Mum-of-two Lisa Peebles, a community councillor for Pollokshields East has been involved in organising the scheme and her son Richard Dixon took part in the pilot project.
She told The Extra: "It's a little terrifying to watch Richard climbing around but it's also wonderful because it's a very free art form.
"You don't have to have any particular skill to take it up, or any equipment to do it so it's also very accessible for all children".
Richard (13), a pupil at Bellahouston Academy, told The Extra: "I love it. The coaches are great – they don't push people and offer easier or harder ways to do each task. It's up to you how far you take it. Our group has become like a little family".
Coach Mike McKeen has been doing parkour for four years.
He explained: "There's a phrase in the parkour community,
we learn by teaching which you really see is true when you start working with children".
And to any mums and dads worried about children's safety, he added: "We've done many school workshops and never had any injuries so far – whereas kids come in all the time with broken bones from more socially acceptable activities like football and rugby.
"The key is that the kids are learning to do things safely when they're with us".
Richard Dixon (front) vaults forth as coaches Chris Grant and Mike McKeen balance
The £30,000 project will be managed by Culture and Sport Glasgow and is funded by ScottishPower, the Scottish government's cashback for communities scheme and Glasgow housing association.
As well as parkour, local artists will run classes in street art – and the Tramway will display the results next year.
Bailie Liz Cameron, chair of CSG, told The Extra: "This is a great project because the children will be interacting with their own parks and streets.
"As well as building confidence and self esteem it instils a sense of pride and ownership in their community".
