The agricultural fields to the north of the village of Camelon were subjected to sand extraction by the local foundries in the 1920s and in 1938 the sunken area between Nailer Road and the railway was taken over by Falkirk Burgh Council for use as a public park. It was called Camelon New Park to distinguish it from that on the north side of the Forth & Clyde Canal. New fencing was placed along the north side and some playground equipment installed. In February 1939 the Trades and Labour Council complained that certain walls were being built in the new Camelon Public Park by unskilled labour which was a breach of the fair wages clause as applied to local authority work. A small amount of levelling took place but in May 1943 it was still described as a “desolate waste” (Falkirk Herald 15.5.1943). Maps show that a footpath traversed the park diagonally from its north-east corner to the Camelon Public School.
These maps also show a mound in the centre of the park with a football field to its west. A series of sports galas were held in the new park from 1951, organised by the Falkirk Victoria Harriers. The park also played host to Billy Smart’s Circus
The park was not well used and in 1955 Falkirk Council decided to construct 201 houses on its eastern part with access from Dorrator Road. Simpson Street, Telford Square, Fleming Gardens, Watt Gardens and Aitken Gardens now occupy this area.
National Grid Reference
NS 873 802
Falkirk Local History Society 