Howard Park

Phase 2 In delivery – 2 years

Phase 2 1 to 10 years

Howard Park (Opened 1894) was originally known as the “Barbadoes Green,” this site is steeped in Kilmarnock’s earliest recreational and industrial history, featuring the historic Lady’s Walk and vital bridge connections over the River Irvine and Kilmarnock Water. It holds deep cultural resonance and is now proposed as the new home of the former “Gateway” pavilion, a legendary local touchstone for youth music and culture. Today, the park acts as a vibrant active-sports hub, hosting the Kilmarnock Tennis Club and providing essential green space directly adjacent to the high street.

Riba Stage 0: Phase 1 Design

Riba Stage 0: Phase 2 Delivery

Funding Opportunities:

Key Stakeholders:

Key Outcomes:

Attractiveness
Connectivity
Improved way-finding and signage
Improved vibrancy
Improved Biodiversity

Linked Projects:

Way-finding and signage
River Development
Connectivity
Public Art
Infinity Loop

Key criteria achieved:

Make the town centre more accessible and easy to move around

Enhance blue and green infrastructure for nature, wellbeing, play, recreation and resilience

Incorporate local history, art and traditions into the design of places

Generate inward investment and stimulate a diverse range of economic activity

Provide flexible spaces for a range of economic, recreational and cultural activity, recreation and resilience

Provide opportunities for people to engage with each other fostering a sense of place and empowering communities to take a role in the success of the town centre.

Support health and wellbeing

Next steps:

Masterplan to be developed for Howard Park
Reviewing Key Park Gateways and connectivity to the wider masterplan, river and south connections to the river.
Links to St Andrews Walk and St Marnock’s Square.
Transforming the vacant Pavilion into a self-sustaining, music-themed youth hub to revive its cultural legacy
Retrofitting the vacant bowling clubhouse into a modern café, music performance space and changing facility to service the expanding tennis and paddle courts.