CAMPAIGNERS are petitioning to save a landmark local park.

Elephant Gardens in Maryhill is under threat as developers bid to merge the greenspace with plans to convert a building neighbouring the site.

A planning application has been lodged to turn the former Shakespeare Street School into flats.

But a local petition has gathered more than 560 signatures and community members are determined to see off the plans, which they say do not conform to the agreed Maryhill Town Centre Action Plan.

Residents Anne Thompson and Liz Elliot are leading the charge.

Liz said: “The open space with two Elephant Sculptures has been there for as long as anyone can remember, it has never had housing on it.

“It is the only space accessible locally to people with limited mobility - nearby access to Kelvin Walkway involves many steps and rough steep slopes.

“Staff at East Park Home and West End Nursery have lodged objections, expressing alarm at losing the facility.

“Others are concerned the developer has made no effort to retain mature trees, something that only requires careful design.”

Elephant Gardens, known locally as the Elephant Park, is, campaigners say, used by local groups and is a popular greenspace.

It sits next to the closed Shakespeare Street School, which is subject to plans for a redsign from Jewitt and Wilkie Architects and housebuilder Spectrum Properties.

Their plans would see the existing school building converted with two new buildings for the site.

Plans are for 29 flats in the old building, one block of 24 flats and a second of 32.

The application also states: “The concrete elephants that have become a local landmark will be preserved on the site and given a prominent position within the proposed landscaping scheme.”

Shakespeare Street Youth Club is one of those petitioning against the new development.

In a letter of objection, manager Julie McMillan said: “This is very disappointing news for us as a club and the surrounding area.

“We have a long history with this area. In fact, our last manager, Stewart Bell, worked with the local children and community in developing this green space, which they hoped would be used by the community for the forseeable future.

“In the summer of this year, the young people who attend the club had a clean up of the area... to encourage young people to take care of their community and therefore take ownership of their community, encouraging good community involvement and a pride in where they live.

“I woud like it to be noted Shakespeare Street Youth Club stands against this development.”

Liz added: “We believe the developer’s architect has made no attempt to retain public open space, nor retain paths across the site.

“Providing every flat with an off-road car parking bay does not make sense when adjacent roads are wide with no present parking and with nearby Maryhill Road serviced by many bus routes.”