Eliburn Park is a 16.5 hectare Council owned site located in Eliburn, Livingston. This diverse recreational area contains a range of environments including a scenic reservoir surrounded by woodland with extensive walking routes to explore and a wonderfully designed play park.
Eliburn Park has something for everyone to enjoy. As you arrive at the park you are met with a grassland area which features three full sized football pitches and a smaller kick pitch.
The pitches and associated pavilion are leased by Livingston FC Community Club who currently cater for around 200 local school aged children. Please contact the club directly via their 'Livingston FC Community Club' Facebook page about the use of these facilities.
A little to the east, across a footbridge over Neil Burn, is an adventure play area for children. Inspired by the spiral form of a nautilus shell, this nature themed play area uses the shape of spirals throughout the design elements of the park. Perhaps the main attraction of this fabulous area of greenspace is the Eliburn Reservoir which sits centrally within the parks boundary.
Eliburn Reservoir is actually a four acre coarse fishery which contains an assortment of different coarse fish species. This, plus the picturesque scenery on offer, makes it an attractive destination for anglers. Day tickets are available on site from a warden.
Surrounding this beautiful reservoir is woodland with an abundance of footpaths which promote exploration and also provide access to and around the reservoir. Farmland was once the main land use in the area and the current woodland was formed from the shelterbelts that surrounded the fields.
Now peaceful woodland routes provide an ideal environment for activities such as walking and running. What's more, the woodland paths are invaluable for the links they provide to the wider path system in Livingston, including National Cycle Route 75 to the south. The park strikes a balance between delivering both superb amenity value and helping to aid nature conservation.
We recently installed inclusive play equipment here and wanted to share some instructions on how to use the equipment :
Wheelchair swing - In order to access the wheelchair swing, open the gate with a RADAR key. This can be purchased from key cutters or issued via an enquiry to West Lothian Council - online form. Please ensure the gate is kept locked during use. Unlock and lower the locking post, remove the security straps from the box in the swing platform and relock the post. The ramp can then be lowered, position wheelchair on swing, and attach straps. Raise and secure the ramp, lower the locking post again and use the swing. Please ensure everything is locked and secured back to its original position after use. A full video guide is available here: Wheelchair swing - video guide (opens new window)
Inclusive roundabout - Position the wheelchair close to the centre of the roundabout to reduce the effect of centrifugal force. Reverse the wheelchair against the seat and apply all brakes. There's no need to secure the wheelchair with straps with adult supervised play. Keep all hard objects away from the roundabout during use. The roundabout is designed to accommodate a single wheelchair and another child using the scooter.
Trampoline - Wheelchairs can access the trampoline through one of the 2 ramped sides. Once positioned, apply all brakes. Keep all hard objects away from the trampoline during use.
Reactions game panel - First, charge up the panel by turning the central handle until all the lights are on. Different buttons will now light up - hit them before they turn off. Once the user stops playing, the top button will display a score. A full video guide is available here: Reactions game panel - video guide (opens new window)
The diversity of habitats provided at Eliburn Park support a range of wildlife. The mixed coniferous and broadleaved woodland contains trees such as Larch, Scots Pine, Oak and Beech. Small mammals like Grey Squirrel and Hedgehog thrive in this woodland habitat, whilst a variety of bird species including Wren and Treecreeper populate the area. In addition, the reservoir is home to many water bird species including Mute Swans, Mallard Ducks and Moorhens. Underneath the calm surface water, which is often rife with water lilies, is an environment teeming with fish and other aquatic creatures.The reservoir is stocked with fish species including Carp, Roach, Bream, Rudd and Perch plus many more.
Free regular and disabled on-site car parking
Several picnic tables around the reservoir
Signposts, information display boards, maps, regular bins and dog waste bins
Closest public toilet at Carmondean Shopping Centre around 1.5 km away
Refreshments available from Carmondean Shopping Centre
Pavilion, play park and football pitches
Surfaced footpaths are flat and provide good access around the play park, reservoir and the adjoining woodland
Some timber stepping in sections
Unsurfaced path can be narrow, slippery and more difficult to access
Eliburn Park is located within the Eliburn district of Livingston, to the north west of the town. The area has excellent transport links and is easily accessible. Eliburn Park can be accessed from a turn off on the Houston Road. Livingston North train station is located a 20 minute walk from Eliburn Park and it is serviced with trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The site has bus stops located nearby on Houston Road which are serviced with regular buses.
