Elder Park, Govan

Elder Park is a public park in the Govan area of Glasgow, Scotland, located a short distance south of the River Clyde, to the east of the Linthouse neighbourhood. It contains Elder Park Library, a boating pond, the original Fairfield farmhouse, and Linthouse Mansion portico.

Statue of Isabella Elder in Elder Park.
For the park in Adelaide, Australia, see Elder Park.
Elder Park
TypePublic park
LocationGlasgow, Scotland
Coordinates55°51′45.45″N 4°19′30.61″W
Area37 acres
Created1885
Operated byGlasgow City Council
StatusOpen all year
Public transit accessGovan subway station

History

The park was gifted to the people of Govan in 1885 by Isabella Elder, in memory of her husband, the shipbuilding magnate John Elder.[1] It was created on the site of Fairfield farm, the farmhouse of which still stands. The headquarters of the family's Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company were directly opposite the park to the north on Govan Road – the buildings still exist as the Fairfield Heritage Centre. Elder gifted the park for "healthful recreation by music and amusement".[2]

Buildings

Elder Park Library lies at the south-eastern end of the park, on Langlands Road. It was opened in September 1903 by Andrew Carnegie, gifted to the people of Glasgow by Isabella Elder, and designed by John James Burnett.[3]

The Linthouse Mansion was built in 1791, however the only remaining part of the house now is the portico.[4]

Statues
Statue of John Elder

There are two statues within the park, one to Isabella Elder, by Sir J. E. Boehm, and one to her husband John Elder, by Archibald Shannan.[1]

References
  1. Digital, Innovation. "History of Elder Park in Govan, Glasgow: Monument to shipbuilder John Elder of Fairfield Shipyard - Clyde Waterfront Heritage". www.clydewaterfront.com. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  2. O'Neill, Cordelia (2014-02-05). "Glasgow City Council park proposal music ban hits wrong note with Govan's Elder Park group". dailyrecord. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  3. "Elder Park Library | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  4. "architectureglasgow.co.uk". www.derelictglasgow.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
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