Howard Park Kilmarnock
Encyclopedia
Howard Park, Kilmarnock
, East Ayrshire
, Scotland
was previously known as Barbadoes Green. The roots of Kilmarnock Football Club may be traced back to the park.
Lady's Walk in the park commemorates the grief-stricken walks taken by the young widow of the Earl of Kilmarnock
, who was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered in London in 1746. His sentence was later commuted to beheading, and his widow died a year after his execution.
The land on which Howard Park is situated was given to Kilmarnock by the Howard De Walden family. It is a medium-sized park; other parks in the area, such as Kay Park
, are much larger. Nearby is the site of the Saxone shoe factory, formerly on Titchfield Street; the factory was replaced by the Galleon Leisure Centre in 1986. The Centre, in turn, replaced the Corporation Baths (which had been open since 1940).
In October 2009, the play area in the park (which incorporated a variety of roundabouts, swings, climbing frames and sandboxes) was renovated. The old, fenced-off play park was removed and replaced with a modern, larger park extending into the old football field in the centre of the park.
Howard Park is popular place among dog-walkers because of its large grassy areas, trees and paths travelling around the whole park.
There is a bicycle path around the park, suitable for cyclists of all ages. Three parallel bridges connect the park to other areas of Kilmarnock, crossing the River Irvine
. Across one of the bridges Kilmarnock is a well-stocked Tesco
store. On one side of the park is a long hill, which slopes down to the central area of the park and the play area. The park is surrounded by a middle-class, residential neighborhood.
Crime is something of a problem in Howard Park, since youths from poorer neighborhoods come to the park to fight and cause havoc. There have been a number of reported sexual assaults and an occasional knife attack in the park, and considerable underage drinking during the weekends. However, crime has been reduced by regular foot and bicycle police patrols. Although Howard Park is a safe, friendly place during the day it is more dangerous after 8 pm, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Although Howard Park is considered dangerous by residents, crime statistics indicate that it is no more dangerous than other parks in Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
, East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It borders on to North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
was previously known as Barbadoes Green. The roots of Kilmarnock Football Club may be traced back to the park.
Lady's Walk in the park commemorates the grief-stricken walks taken by the young widow of the Earl of Kilmarnock
William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock
William Boyd , 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, was a Scottish nobleman.William Boyd was educated at Glasgow. Like his father in the rebellion of 1715, William initially supported the Government side, but in the rebellion of 1745, owing either to a personal affront or to the influence of his wife or to his...
, who was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered in London in 1746. His sentence was later commuted to beheading, and his widow died a year after his execution.
The land on which Howard Park is situated was given to Kilmarnock by the Howard De Walden family. It is a medium-sized park; other parks in the area, such as Kay Park
Kay Park
Kay Park is a park in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. It was purchased, laid out, and gifted to the town of Kilmarnock by insurance broker Alexander Kay. It opened in 1879, and is the home of a large monument to Robert Burns. There was formerly a miniature golf course, which can still be seen...
, are much larger. Nearby is the site of the Saxone shoe factory, formerly on Titchfield Street; the factory was replaced by the Galleon Leisure Centre in 1986. The Centre, in turn, replaced the Corporation Baths (which had been open since 1940).
In October 2009, the play area in the park (which incorporated a variety of roundabouts, swings, climbing frames and sandboxes) was renovated. The old, fenced-off play park was removed and replaced with a modern, larger park extending into the old football field in the centre of the park.
Howard Park is popular place among dog-walkers because of its large grassy areas, trees and paths travelling around the whole park.
There is a bicycle path around the park, suitable for cyclists of all ages. Three parallel bridges connect the park to other areas of Kilmarnock, crossing the River Irvine
River Irvine
The River Irvine is a river flowing through southwest Scotland, with its watershed on the Lanarkshire border of Ayrshire at an altitude of above sea-level, near Drumclog, and SW by W of Strathaven...
. Across one of the bridges Kilmarnock is a well-stocked Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
store. On one side of the park is a long hill, which slopes down to the central area of the park and the play area. The park is surrounded by a middle-class, residential neighborhood.
Crime is something of a problem in Howard Park, since youths from poorer neighborhoods come to the park to fight and cause havoc. There have been a number of reported sexual assaults and an occasional knife attack in the park, and considerable underage drinking during the weekends. However, crime has been reduced by regular foot and bicycle police patrols. Although Howard Park is a safe, friendly place during the day it is more dangerous after 8 pm, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Although Howard Park is considered dangerous by residents, crime statistics indicate that it is no more dangerous than other parks in Kilmarnock.