A million pound project to regenerate “the jewel in the crown” of Dunfermline is attracting record visitor numbers.
The £1.58 million Pittencrieff Park project, which started in 2011, was jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Fife Council and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.
A range of work was carried out throughout the project including the refurbishment of the glasshouse, peafowl enclosure and toilets, new signs, lighting and shrubs, the painting and upgrading of entrance gates, improved landscaping, paths and drainage, ironwork repaired and the much loved locomotive refurbished.
The project was delivered on time and slightly under budget.
This underspend will be used to fund additional work in the park, which was gifted to Dunfermline by philanthropist and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, identified by staff from parks operations and parks development teams.
City of Dunfermline area committee chairwoman Helen Law said: “It’s been great watching the transformation of the park over the last few years.
“It’s brought the features and landscape of the park back to a high quality standard for residents and locals who visit to enjoy.”
The project has seen a rise in visitor numbers with a record 780, 169 recorded in 2013/14.
And their satisfaction with the park has also increased.
A survey undertaken in 2009 then again in 2015 identified the key trends.
Between the two studies, the proportion of visitors who, overall, were “very satisfied” with the park increased by 10%.
It also found the number of visits park users were making every year had increased significantly across the six years.
While the main reasons for using the park have not changed greatly, the top additional reason to visit the glen is now “to see wildlife”. This lies at 43% in 2015 compared to 14% in 2009.
In another positive trend, 80% said the park actively involved local people, compared with 55% in 2009.
An expanding programme of events has helped to boost visitor figures.
In 2012 there were 41 events at the Green Flag status park, rising to 49 in 2013, 56 in 2014 and 57 in 2015.
Of course, one of its biggest draws are the famous peacocks.
There are currently two peacocks and three peahens there.
Mrs Law added: “The park is looking phenomenal.
“We are really lucky in Dunfermline having the glen and public park and other green spaces.
“Visitors from Norway said they did not have these assets at all and were astounded to see these parks in the centre of town.”
