In 1852 the Town Council purchased land on the eastern side of the River Kelvin and laid out what was originally called West End Park. (Additional land was bought on the western bank of the river when Glasgow University was established two decades later.) Sir Joseph Paxton was asked to produce plans and these were exhibited in public, but Charles Wilson and Thomas Kyle became the park`s principal designers. The hilly northern parts were the original Pleasure Grounds and these were planted with trees and shrubs; the paths in these parts offer pleasant walks and good views. A later development was the use of the flatter areas at the park`s southern end for sports facilities.

This article is based on the guidebook "The Glasgow Guide".