THE PUBLIC PARKS OF GLASGOW. 



47 



the time of purchase objections were raised that the park would 

 serve certain outlying burghs more than Glasgow. While true to 

 a certain extent, the same spirit which inspired the acquisition of 

 the land now occupied as the Queen's Park inspired the Council in 

 this case, with results somewhat similar. 



Queen's Park was in existence for over thirty years before the 

 surrounding burghs were annexed, and, in 191 2, the burghs in 

 proximity to Bellahouston were absorbed and now reap all the 

 benefits provided by the larger community. The park is bounded 

 for over a mile by the main road between Glasgow and Paisley, 

 which is probably the busiest highway in Scotland. From the high 

 ground, or hill, which forms the central part and dominates the 

 whole, there are splendid views of the surrounding country. To 

 the north-east and east, the towers, spires, and tall chimneys of 

 the city stand out prominently amidst the great mass of grey masonry. 

 Due north, the great shipyards of Go van and Partick are much in 

 evidence, as also the many industrial works associated therewith, 

 and great ranges of tenements on the rising ground behind, while 

 beyond are the Dumbartonshire and Stirlingshire hills. To the 

 west the view is extended down the valley of the Clyde to Clydebank, 

 Dalmuir, and Dumbarton on the north side of the river, and on 

 the south bank to the old town of Renfrew. To the south-west is 

 the town of Paisley, then further due south are the Gleniffer and 

 Fereneze Braes, the town of Barrhead, with a range of hills and the 

 outstanding "Neilston Pad " ; then following are the high lands of 

 the Mearns and Cathkin towards the south-east of the city, thus 

 completing the circle — wider and more varied scenery than is 

 possessed by most parks in this or any other city. 



Provision is made in the park for bowling, football, hockey, 

 cricket, golf, &c, and a large 15 to 20-acre lake is contemplated. 



Tollcross Park. 



To secure a suitable park in the eastern district of the city was 

 a matter of some difficulty. Fortunately, through the efforts of a 

 worthy citizen, the mansion and policies of Tollcross were purchased at 

 a reasonable price in 1897. This purchase saved one of the last of the 

 beauty spots left in the immediate vicinity of that part of the city, 

 where huge iron and other industrial works are much in evidence. 



The policies having been well laid out by the last proprietor, 

 very little beyond widening the paths was required to make avail- 

 able for public use the main portion of the property, especially the 

 beautifully wooded glen through which flows a stream whose pristine 

 purity is frequently marred by unsavoury abominations from chemical 

 and other works beyond the city boundaries. The mansion has 

 been adapted as a branch of the Natural History Section of the 

 Corporation Museums. The gift of his glass-houses and collection 

 of plants by a former chairman of the Parks Committee to the p-u"k 



