A public park was created to the west of the Gote Loan on the flat ground to the south of the River Carron by Denny Town Council at the beginning of the twentieth century. Access was either from the Gote Loan or from a drive opposite the school steps on Stirling Street. The 1913 Ordnance Survey map shows pavilion buildings in the south-east corner of the park and a band stand in the centre.
The stand was a wooden structure and was probably made by the Council. It was in an exposed position and quickly deteriorated. In its dilapidated state it fell prey to the local children collecting for the annual bonfire and a Council minute of 1915 noted that only the posts and roof remained and that these were to be removed. The park was simply referred to as “the Public Park.”
In 1928 the Town Council agreed to a long-term lease of the park to Dunipace Juniors Football Club and over the following months the field was extensively built up and levelled, and a flood bank erected along the side of the river. A pavilion was then constructed measuring 50ft by 20ft to house changing rooms for home and visiting teams, bathing facilities, a referee’s room, a small committee room, as well as a hall. Lighting and water heating was by gas. The ground and pavilion were formally opened by Provost Shanks on 12 August 1929. From henceforth the ground was known as Carronbank Park.
The football team had an enthusiastic club of supporters which helped with the maintenance of the ground. The ladies Supporters’ Club organised social functions in the pavilion, helping to raise funds.
In the 1970s the site was sold for housing and is now occupied by Carronbank Terrace and Kilbirnie Terrace.
National Grid Reference
NS 810 830
Falkirk Local History Society 