DALMUIR PUBLIC PARK, Dalmuir
ACCESS : Easy access for all from Mountblow and Overtoun Roads and Littlehom Place.
///barks.clouds.monday Mountblow Road entrance.
///adopt.shine.fend Overtoun Road entrance.
Dalmuir Park is extensive and varied. A bowling green is located on the Overtoun Road side and a golf course stretches out beyond. The main landscaped area has pleasant lawns and colourful flowerbeds all surrounded by mature trees.
A large pond is home to a variety of waterfowl. Near it is an ornamental drinking fountain. It was gifted by Provost Leckie in 1907. In the past this was a drinking fountain as there was fresh running water being piped through and visitors could have a drink of water by means of a metal cup. These days however, the fountain no longer has fresh running water running through it. In 2012, as part of the restoration project, the fountain was restored to its former glory... The fountain has some fantastic detail and as you can see, the golden eagle on the top of the fountain is very prominent, having been painted in gold leaf. [WDC].
At the Mountblow entrance to the park the 'Dalmuir Park Sculpture' was installed at the end of March 2013 to commemorate the Dalmuir Park Restoration Project. This sculpture by Elspeth Bennie features a working clock providing a link to the giant Singer Clock tower (whose factory was one of the major industries of the local area); as well as detailing the history of the park. The sculpture is lit up at night and is very picturesque. [WDC].
There is a children's play area.
Its all a matter of taste. This "gold plating" image of the drinking fountain has been replaced by a smart metalic grey with just a few highlights.
A young family enjoys the park one weekend. It started to rain so they took shelter under the fountain, one member remaining outside to take a photo.
A great view with the Erskine Bridge and Dumbarton Rock in the distance.
This is the new clock tower. Look closer and you will see depictions of local history.
The gardens offer a rich tapestry of colour.
The pond is the heart of the park and is often frequented by swans.
The pond overspill leads down towards the sluice and past the drinking fountain. The paper mill was located near there and served by this water sluice. The water eventually reconnects with the Duntocher Burn from which it had originated higher up.
Its a rainy day in May, but quite a number of tufted ducks are really enjoying the pond.
If ducks could smile....
....its all just water off a duck's back. This is the female tufted duck, the partner of the more striking one above.
A view back towards lower Dalmuir with the historic tenements Burns and Pattison Streets.
The pond is fed from Mill Lade, which runs alongside the Duntocher Burn. There is a pathway alongside it heading towards the golf course and some flats.
In 1747, Richard Collins opened a wood chipping, bleaching and paper making mill here. This lade and the pond remain to this day.
There are also paths under the large trees on the slope above the lade. A short walk takes you into a band of woodland. But the most popular area is the vast lawns with views out over Dalmuir's tenements to the south.
The woodland walk.
The view to the south.
Just north of the actual park is another broad area of green lawns and trees - the Dalmuir Golf Club. Two players return to the clubhouse a little soaked during a sudden rain.
A park bench records the contribution of 12 acres to the park in 1910.
CANMORE : https://canmore.org.uk/event/647553
GEOGRAPH.ORG : https://m.geograph.org.uk/photo/326596
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL website on parks : https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/dalmuir-park/dalmuir-park-restoration-project/history-of-dalmuir-park/ and https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/dalmuir-park/dalmuir-park-restoration-project/park-facilities-and-features/ornamental-fountain/ and https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/dalmuir-park/dalmuir-park-restoration-project/about-the-project/
This link has more on the duck pond and lade : https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/dalmuir-park/dalmuir-park-restoration-project/park-facilities-and-features/duck-pond/
