14 October 2021

By Lucy Ashton

Levengrove Park in Dumbarton has been presented with an International  Green Flag Award for the third 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 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.

In addition, a new play area was installed.

The improvements came in the wake of an SNP-controlled council decision to make cuts in the park budget for flowers and grass-cutting and when outside agencies stepped in with cash support.

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 Award status.

“Over the past 18 months of the pandemic we have really seen how vital and valued our parks and open spaces are to our communities. 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 Diane Docherty, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “People come from near and far to enjoy Levengrove Park and it really is no surprise it is so popular. Over the last few years the Council has invested a lot to restore the park’s heritage features, improve play park facilities and opened a brand new pavilion and training suite, meaning it has so much to offer visitors. Well done to the Greenspace team for achieving this honour once again.”