Levengrove Park

Formed within the policies of the former Levengrove House at the mouth of the River Leven in Dumbarton (West Dunbartonshire), Levengrove Park is situated on the opposite bank of the river from the town centre. It extends to 13 ha (32 acres) and re-used the landscape that had been designed to surround the house, itself occupying the site of a small village known as the Kirkton of Cardross.

Opened in 1885, the land had been purchased by William Denny and John MacMillan, who both owed shipbuilding yards in Dumbarton, laid out as a park at their expense and gifted back to the Town Council. The total cost was £20,000. Today, there is a formal garden with mixed shrubs and extensive spring and summer bedding displays, an Arboretum, open grassland, recreation facilities that include a basket ball court, and two childrens' play areas. A fountain was built in 1902, the gift of Captain Burns of Kilmahew. There are also the ruins of St. Serf's Church, the Mediaeval parish church of Cardross where the viscera of the Robert the Bruce may be buried.

A £3.7-million restoration project began with the award of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 2016. The project will include bringing Kilmahew Fountain back into working order, enhancing the setting around St. Serf's Church, and recreating the original main entrance. An original Mediaeval well, known as Shiers Well, was uncovered during the work and has been restored.

The park is owned and managed by West Dunbartonshire Council, but benefits from the enthusiasm of local group known as the Friends of Levengrove Park. The park hosts a number of regular events including the Scottish Pipe Band Championship in May, a gala day in July, and a firework display in November.


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