The area includes four reservoirs, owned by Scottish Water and operated as backup supplies. Each reservoir is also a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and an important location for wildfowl. These are currently used on a relatively informal basis by anglers, but offer great potential for non-motorised watersports. Developing, managing and protecting these potentially conflicting uses will be key to the success of the initiative.

The most significant woodland within the Country Park lies within Waulkmill Glen. The woodland, located close to Darnley and South Nitshill, is contained within a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. As well as the woodland, this part of the country park also contains grasslands and marsh which also have rich species diversity. Part of Waulkmill Glen is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as a result of its geological formations. It is little used for formal recreation, as it has no formal path network and steep topography.

Existing grassland farmland, generally with small to medium sized fields separated by remnant hedges and tree lines, remains a sizeable land use within the Country Park area. A number of prominent shelterbelts associated with agriculture, also form important landscape features.

Recent pressures on the existing green belt from urban expansion, in relation to existing and potential residential, leisure, commercial and transport developments, have to an extent provided an opportunity to clearly define the area’s greenspace. It has also highlighted a need to ensure that the remaining greenspace is secured through management, development and promotion as a Country Park.

The initiative is led by a joint committee made up of local members from both East Renfrewshire and Glasgow City Councils.  This is supported by an officer steering group, with representatives from both councils, as well as Carts Greenspace, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Water, Forestry Commission, Sportscotland, Strathclyde Passenger Transport and RSPB. A project officer was appointed in May 2006 to carry forward the principles contained within the master plan to detailed project proposals and practical improvements on the ground.

The indicative costs of the project are currently budgeted at £3.6 million over a fifteen-year period. Funding, both revenue and capital, will come from various sources, including both Councils. There is already a substantial commitment of funds to the initiative, but securing outstanding funding is essential.