Levengrove Park Training Centre plus Victorian features, including St Serf’s Church and the Kilmahew Fountain.
By Lucy Ashton
Levengrove Park in Dumbarton has been presented with an International Green Flag Award for the second year in a row.
The honour, which is awarded by Keep Scotland Beautiful, acknowledges parks and outdoor spaces which provide quality green open spaces.
It celebrates well maintained parks and supports the opportunities they provide to enable exercise, improve mental well-being and provide safe environments for play.
It comes after £3.7million was invested in the restoration of the parks Victorian features, including St Serf’s Church and the Kilmahew Fountain.
The works also included a new pavilion building with café which is run as a social enterprise by West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Partnership’s (WDHSCP) Work Connect service.
A new training suite offers training places for some of West Dunbartonshire’s most vulnerable residents, including those with mental health issues, people in recovery from addictions and those with learning disabilities.
Cllrs Marie McNair and Iain McLaren praised Greenspace staff.
It was this that saved the park project from financial collapse as the training suite was never part of the original renovation and refurbishment plans. In addition, a new play area was installed.
Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Congratulations to all at Levengrove Park, which is truly deserving of its Green Flag Aware status.
“We are delighted to have been given this international honour and it is testament to the hard work our Greenspace staff undertake to ensure it is a pleasant and welcoming space for residents all year round.”
Councillor Marie McNair, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “Over the last few years the Council has invested a lot to restore the park’s heritage features, improve playpark facilities and opened a brand new pavilion and training suite.
“These vital facilities, along with a host of popular events and beautiful scenery, are the reason people come from near and far to enjoy Levengrove.”