Rouken Glen in top three Scottish parks

The online vote was open to any park holding a current Green Flag award — and with the East Renfrewshire park on its fourth flag, council officials urged residents to get clicking.

Despite many of you logging on throughout September to cast your vote, Rouken Glen was pipped to the post by Dock Park in Dumfries, in first place, and Beechwood Park in Stirling, in second.

East Renfrewshire councillor Vincent Waters is celebrating nonetheless.

The ERC environment convener said: “We are delighted to have gained third place for the second year in a row.

“Rouken Glen is well loved by locals and visitors to East Ren, and has a well-established history as a popular visitor hotspot dating back to the Edwardian and Victorian eras.

“We now have a beautifully refurbished pavilion and visitors centre, and a fantastic outdoor gym. We unveiled a new £270,000 galleon-themed playground at the start of the summer holidays — our beautiful park has never been busier.”

However, not everyone believes the park is a rightful winner.

When asked whether Rouken Glen should be Scotland’s top park last month, Extra readers responded that the pond in particular could do with a clean up.

Fraser Burns commented: “The pond is a disgrace and needs a complete overhaul — it also needs to be cleared of rubbish on a regular basis.”

With further comments that “rubbish makes what is normally a fantastic park very uninviting”, an ERC spokeswoman responded that the council “are working closely with environmental experts — their findings will determine any work that is required”.