Queen's Park

It is too early for me to have a favourite park but I do.  Did you know that Glasgow has over 90 parks and formal gardens within the city limits?  The parks I have visited so far are not just small patches of grass.  There are hills, trails, ponds, sometimes golf courses.  It is not like there is a shortage of parks where I come from but I admire how well these are situated throughout the city, their size and design to maximize the enjoyment for all, and their cleanliness.  I have noticed that people generally take care in treating public spaces with respect, clean up after their dog, make sure their trash is disposed of properly, and will take a moment to clean something up if they do find something not belonging to them.  Even with that, the quality of the parks is impressive.  I have taken a particular likening to Queen's Park.

Queen's Park is 60 hectares (148 acres) on the south side of Glasgow.  The park was acquired in 1857 and dedicated to the memory of Mary, Queen of Scots.  The Battle of Langside, which marked her final defeat, allegedly took place on the hills of the park and lowlands to the southeast.  The hill within the park has remnants of what is thought to be a military encampment where the troops waited to defeat her army.

The original design was much grander but was scaled back due to expense.  I am glad of that.  I think it is perfect.  As soon as you pass through one of the gates, you enter into a peaceful escape.  A place to enjoy nature.  A place to explore with your children.  A place to stroll with a loved one.  A place to let your dog run free.  A place to improve your fitness.  

The high point of the park has wonderful views of the city and hills beyond, including the Campsie Fells.  A few days ago after a night that had promised snow, I escaped to the park as the sun was rising.  Although there was no lowland snow, there was a dusting on the distant hills.  I watched the winter sun awaken the park and the surrounding city.   

 

The winter sunlight has been absolutely beautiful all day long, casting gorgeous light on the clouds and pink sunrises and sunsets.  I am rubbish at capturing the colors.  You will just have to come see for yourself!

This is the gate to Victoria Road just as the sun reached the trees about 9am (even I can manage to get up in time to enjoy the sunrise right now....we will see about it in the summer time:).  Along the roads just outside the park there are lovely tenements lining the streets.

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Looking out towards Campsie Fells in the morning light.

Every time I visit, I find another aspect of the park.  It has tennis courts, bowling greens, pitch and putt, 5-a-side football pitches, Camphill mansion, rose garden, play toys for kids.  In one corner of the park, there are two ponds.

Queen's Park Baptist Church adjacent to the park.

My attempt at a panorama with my iPhone at the top of the hill by the flag pole.

It took me a number of visits before noticing that there is a glasshouse with a small botanic garden and cafe.  

...with  surprisingly large collection of succulents.  I recognized some of the cacti from my recent trip to Arizona.  

Don't be deceived by my photos.  Many people use the park throughout the daylight hours and I have a terrible case of dog envy.  

Snow is forecast.  If there is, I may wish I had a sledge to enjoy some fun on the hills.  There is also a farmer's market twice a month.  I don't know what it will be like in January but I plan to visit this Saturday.

These public spaces offer so much to those who live around them.  They are invaluable and I hope as towns become cities around the world, city planners find ways to create these spaces.  I would much rather have this large space to enjoy than a little yard all my own.  And I welcome the chance interactions with people in my community.