Man hits out at Glasgow Council for 'neglecting' Govan park

Willie Jones told the Glasgow Times that Elder Park is often subject to overgrown grass, weeds, and algae in the pond, as well as a rather barren rose garden and troubling portico of the former Linthouse Mansion.

The 45-year-old described the alleged lack of maintenance as a great shame. 

(Image: Govan resident Willie Jones pictured at the entrance to Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mear)

(Image: Govan resident Willie Jones pictured at the entrance to Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mear)

Willie said: “Elder Park is a mess, and it has been neglected in many ways for quite some time.

“Though the main entrance and gates were restored not that long ago, the park itself and the pond are just not being maintained by the council. 

“In summer, you see loads of families and kids, people playing football, but it’s not looked after or cared for and that’s a great shame."

(Image: Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

(Image: Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

Willie noticed how bad the park had gotten a couple of weeks ago after spotting graffiti all over the welcome signs and boat house, as well as discarded trolleys in the pond.

He decided to contact Councillor Richard Bell, who Willie said did a great job at rallying council workers together to clean up the park.

However, if there was regular maintenance from the council, Willie said locals would not have to live in a cycle of seeing things go bad, contacting the council and waiting to get the space restored. 

Willie explained: “When I spot the park getting bad, I email councillors, or the council, and staff get sent out to sort it and that happens again and again. 

“If it were maintained by the council in the first place, there would not be this constant cycle. 

“There should be regular grass cutting and getting rid of weeds. We are expecting the bare minimum here and that’s not happening.” 

(Image: Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

(Image: Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

However, Glasgow City Council have said the grass is being cut less as part of its Net Zero strategy. 

A council spokeswoman explained: “Our grassland management is being adjusted across the city and grass is being cut less frequently to support the council’s Net Zero by 2030 goal and improve local ecosystems for wildlife. 

“This means fewer pollinators are killed during mowing, less carbon is expelled from mowers and nature is allowed to recover. Parks such as Elder Park have a vital role to play in this initiative.
 
“It is essential that we contribute to climate change mitigation and our amended citywide grassland management is key to this.”

(Image: Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

But what has added to Willie's – and the Govan community’s – anger, is that some council funds have been used to revamp Elder Park Library, which the Govan resident said could have been used for the park. 

The Elder Park Library and Community Hub opened its doors on Monday, June 24 this year, after a total revamp of the 1903 building took place. The transformation project cost £4m.

Willie said: “It’s such a shame that the council will invest that level of money into a library when the park is a mess. 

“We want to get people out of the house and into green spaces, but we can’t keep on top of the local park. 

“The park is a much-loved area for locals, yet there is a real lack of attention (from the council).” 

(Image: Elder Park, Govan. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

A Glasgow City Council Spokeswoman added: “£70,000 in funding will become available this year to look at enhancing the play facilities in Elder Park.

“A parks team removed litter, shopping trolleys, bikes, and rubbish from the pond in Elder Park in the week ending July 14. They also removed weeds from the rose garden as part of ongoing maintenance.

“Three new accessible picnic tables funded by Glasgow City Council were also recently installed in the park and funding has been identified to support the Friends of and Parkrun groups with materials and to support their activities.”

Volunteers who belong to the Friends of Elder Park group currently help maintain the park weekly. 

You can find out more about the group HERE