Stone bridge crossing the River Kelvin at Dawsholm Park
Wikimedia Commons
Dawsholm Park is a public park in Glasgow, Scotland, situated on the River Kelvin, north of the River Clyde. It consists mostly of woodland, with grasslands to the south of the wooded area.[1] Forty-two hectares (105 acres) of the site is a designated Local Nature ReserveStatutory designation allowing principal local authorities to protect areas containing wildlife or geological features of particular local interest. (LNR).[2]
The park was created from lands purchased by Glasgow City Council from Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth in 1922. The wooded area, once known as the Belvidere plantation, was part of Sir Archibald’s Garscube estate. The council also bought some grassy areas to the south of the woodland, which were augmented by a gift from Sir Archibald of some land contaminated with oil shale waste to the east of the woodland. That area was leveled and grassed over to create a recreation area, until recently laid out with five football pitches and changing accommodation.[1]
Flora and fauna
Mature beech trees (Fagus sylvatica), Larch (Larix decidua), Yew (Taxus baccata), Rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) can be found in the park; grey squirrels are common in the woodland.[1]
Sparrow hawks (Accipter nisus), Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and Blue tits (Parus caeruleus) are also often seen in the wooded areas.[1]