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Gallery: We chart the progress of Union Terrace Gardens from drab opening to lush new attraction

Our photographers have been popping along at regular intervals to build a picture of the gradual transformation.

Union Terrace Gardens from above as our gallery shows how it has changed.
Union Terrace Gardens from above as our gallery shows how it has changed. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

It was a cold and dark December night, just before Christmas, when Union Terrace Gardens finally reopened to the public.

Not with a bang, but a whimper.

Perhaps due to controversial delays, and a soaring price tag, officials seemed unwilling to celebrate the milestone in the £30 million project.

Since then, our photographers have visited Union Terrace Gardens on a regular basis to capture its eventual transformation from a mudpit to the finished article…

Union Terrace Gardens gallery begins on December 22, 2022

Union Terrace Gardens gallery
HMT was illuminated in festive colours as the gates swung open and our staff finally stepped foot inside. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
A few eager folk went a look about. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
Labour Councillors and friends staged an unofficial opening of the redesigned Union Terrace Gardens that night. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
The festive season has passed, and Union Terrace Gardens is looking a bit bleak in this image from January 11. Image: Chris Sumner/DC Thomson

Spectra returns to UTG

The landmark was sealed off to the public again in late January.

This time, it was so that Spectra artworks could be installed at the park for the first time since it closed for refurbishment in 2019.

While the muddy central section was covered up with boards, workers transformed the spot into the most popular part of the lights festival.

Union Terrace Gardens gallery
A muddy lawn was covered up for Spectra in late January. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
The project was progressing in this image from February 6. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
That mudpit became a wonderland. Image: Paul Glendell / DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
This large fellow made for some interesting photos. Image: Paul Glendell / DC Thomson

Spring arrives, but no sign of grass…

As spring dawned across the north-east, some optimism began to sprout that the sunken Victorian gardens could soon look how they should.

Union Terrace Gardens gallery
A photo from March 21 as our photographers kept up their watch. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson
Not quite looking its best. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens gallery
By the end of May, some weeds added a touch of colour. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Progress as lawn is finally laid, and gardens come to life!

By the end of June, the central lawn was finally fenced off and the grass was laid.

People were kept from venturing on while it bedded in.

Starting to look better. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson
This image from July 10 captures UTG beneath a nice blue sky. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson
Earlier this month, we took the chance to grab a close-up of the blades of grass. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson
Emelia and her mum Lauren Morrison are among the first to enjoy the space once the fencing is removed. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson
Aria Gilroy crawling into our Union Terrace Gardens gallery on Friday August 11. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

What do you think of the revamped Union Terrace Gardens? Let us know in our comments section below


Scroll back and forth to see the changes from the opening date until now:

With the grass now laid, and a market planned for the spot at the end of this month, it seems like things are finally looking positive.

Read our columnist Scott Begbie’s thoughts on the revamped Union Terrace Gardens here.

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