The Southside of Glasgow boasts some amazing walking opportunities, with Pollok Country Park and Queen’s Park being the stars of the show. What is more, nothing beats the panoramic city views at our Queen’s Park, not to mention its glasshouse and boating pond! However, what if we told you one of the city’s biggest parks is in for a revamp, getting even more things to do within its grounds?
Queen’s Park is located in the Southside of Glasgow, and is one of the city’s largest parks, renowned across the UK. The Victorian park was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton (who also designed the Crystal Palace in London, by the way), spanning over 60 hectares and opened in 1862.
The new proposal has the ambition to make the park “world class”, including a basketball court, bluebell woods, a new skatepark, paths, and a new massive entrance from the Battlefield Monument.
The Queens Park Working Group is behind the makeover, and has appointed a group of professionals to oversee the projects. Glasgow-based landscape architect Ironside Farrar has already been brought on for the development plan.
The plan says: “Queen’s Park and Recreation Ground shall be an exceptional, world-class, much-used and well-loved public park that respects and celebrates its heritage whilst also meeting the aspirations of existing and future generations.”
Councillor Jon Molyneux, of the Greens, told the BBC: “As well as its obvious role as a green space, the park is a major social and economic asset for the southside and it is valued really highly by local people. The response to the public consultation showed that very clearly.
“Funding is already in place for some key improvements, including a new play area at Balvicar Street, lighting to improve safety on key walking routes, and to support reopening Langside Hall, but there is clearly more that can be done to ensure the park continues to meet the local community’s needs.”