In December 1927 the directors of Carron Company made a generous offer to Larbert Parish Council. They promised to gift a flat field of almost three acres to the north of Roebuck Park for use as a children’s playground. Included in the offer were 12 seats as well as an enclosing iron fence and gates. The conditions attached to his act were that it was to be only for use by children of school age; it was not to be used as a showground, the sale and consumption of alcohol was to be prohibited, and there should be no vending of ice-cream or other refreshments inside the field. The enclosure was to be known as “The MacLaren (Carron) Children’s Playground” to perpetuate the memory of the late Mr J. J. S. MacLaren, chairman of Carron Company.
The gift was readily accepted and on 25 April 1928 Mrs Burder officially opened it and her husband, the then chairman of Carron Company, handed over the title deeds. On the Church Street side of the park was an imposing wrought iron arch gateway bearing the inscription “The Maclaren (Carron) Children’s Playground. Gifted by Carron Company, 1928.” True to their word, the Carron Company had installed two sets of swings, a joy wheel, an ocean wave, and a sand pit. Ground had been laid out for football and cricket. In the centre of the field a brick shelter had lavatory accommodation. The Parish Council had already appointed a caretaker.
The Council also formulated bye-laws for the park:
“1. The Playground shall be open to the Public at all times, power being reserved to the Parish Council to close it, or any part of it, on such occasions, and for such length of time, as may be decided by them.
2. The equipment in the Playground shall be used only by children of school age, but the Public shall have the use of the Playground for walking or sitting therein.
3. The Playing Pitches shall be used only by children of school age.
4. No person shall enter or leave the Playground except by the Gates.
5. No gathering of any kind shall be held in the Playground without the permission of the Parish Council, and any gathering for which permission is given shall be subject to such conditions as may be laid down by the Parish Council.
6. No Person shall put up or exhibit any advertisement in the Playground or on the Gates, Gate-pillars, or Boundary Walls, or distribute notices, handbills, or other papers within the Playground without the consent of the Parish Council.
7. No person shall sell any article or commodity in the Playground without the authority of the Parish Council.
8. No person shall wilfully, carelessly, or negligently injure, displace, or remove any building, seat, railing, or other property in or enclosing the Playground.
9. No person shall wilfully, carelessly, or negligently injure, destroy or damage any tree, shrub, or plant, or dig up or injure or burn any turf, or remove any gravel, sand, soil, or other substance.
10. No person shall throw down or leave any rubbish, paper, or other refuse within the Playground, or take part in any picnic, except at such places as may be set apart for such purpose.
11. No person shall commit any act in violation of public decency, or use profane, indecent, or obscene language in the Playground, or indulge in any rough play or unseemly conduct.
12. No intoxicated person shall enter or remain in the Playground.
13. No person shall discharge any firearm or throw any stone or other missile, or make any bonfire in the Playground.
14. No person shall beat, shake, or clean any carpet or other article, or dry or bleach any clothes or other articles in the Playground.
15. No person shall take part or engage in lotteries, betting, gambling, or card playing in the Playground.
16. No person shall, except with the special permission of the Parish Council, drive or bring into, or cause to be driven or brought into, or remain in the Playground any wheeled vehicle (except perambulators or the like drawn by hand), or any horse or pony, or any cattle or sheep.
17. No person shall take any dogs into the Playground unless it is led by a chain, strap or cord, or otherwise under proper control, and no dog-racing shall be allowed.
18. Any person playing games in the Playground shall observe such special Rules and Regulations relating to the playing of games as may be made by the Parish Council from time to time.
19. Any officer of the Parish Council, or any Constable, may remove from the Playground any person infringing these bye-laws.
20. Any person guilty of infringing any of the foregoing Bye-laws shall be liable to a Penalty not exceeding Five Pounds for each offence, and on default in payment to imprisonment, in terms of the Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act 1908, or other Act in force at the time.”
National Grid Reference
NS 874 829
Falkirk Local History Society 