Overtoun Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Overtoun Park |
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Bandstand (1914) at the centre of the park
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | Rutherglen, Scotland |
| OS grid | NS6131460919 |
| Area | 8 hectares (20 acres) |
| Operated by | South Lanarkshire Council |
Overtoun Park is a popular public park located in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It's right in the middle of town, making it easy for many people to visit. The park is surrounded by several neighbourhoods like High Crosshill and Stonelaw. It's a busy place where people often come to relax and play.
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History of Overtoun Park
The land for Overtoun Park was given to the town in 1904. This gift came from Lord Overtoun. He also donated land for another park in Dalmuir, which is now called Dalmuir Park.
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Rutherglen's Overtoun Park covers about 13 acres. It has a roughly square shape with entrances at each corner. One corner is much higher than the others. The park used to host parts of the annual Landemer Day fair. This big event is now held mainly on Main Street. From 1975 to 1996, Rutherglen was part of Glasgow. During this time, Overtoun Park was managed by the City of Glasgow District Parks.
Park Features and Landmarks
Overtoun Park has several interesting features. Some of these are very old and have a special history.
Queen Victoria Fountain
There is a beautiful cast iron drinking fountain in the park. It was made by the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow. The fountain was put up in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. This marked 60 years of her being queen.
The fountain was first placed on Rutherglen Main Street. But in 1911, it was moved to the park. This was because more cars were on the roads, and the fountain was in the way. You can find similar fountains in other places around the world.
The Bandstand
The park also has an ornate bandstand, built in 1914. It was also made by the Saracen Foundry. This bandstand is similar to many others found across Britain. It was originally on the west side of the park.
In the late 1980s, the bandstand was moved. It was used at the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival. This move also made space for a new road, the A730. The park's ornamental gates were also moved. The bandstand was then placed in the centre of the park. It needs some repairs now, but it is still a lovely feature.
Play Areas and Paths
The main children's play area was updated in the 2010s. It was made bigger and better for kids. A National Cycle Route 756 runs through the park. This route follows a tree-lined path from north to south.
Some older sports areas in the park have changed. Football pitches were removed in the late 1980s. A care home was built where they used to be. The BMX tracks are still there and are well-maintained. The tennis courts, however, were not used and became grassed over. There were plans to restore them, but funding did not come through.
Community Involvement
Local groups help to improve Overtoun Park. The environmental charity Grow73 works in the park. They have a community garden there. They help make the park look better and care for its plants.
There is also a volunteer group called Friends of Overtoun Park. They work to improve the park's facilities. They also help with the play areas. These groups show how much the community cares about Overtoun Park.
See also
