A WEST End park at the centre of a furious row has been saved from the bulldozers.

A WEST End park at the centre of a furious row has been saved from the bulldozers.

Residents in Kelvindale were up in arms after Glasgow City Council said it was considering selling off Dawsholm Park to a private school.

But today it was revealed the park is to be turned into a nature reserve - meaning it will be preserved for future generations.

Parks bosses now plan a series of improvements to make the area more attractive to local people and wildlife.

The existing pond will be improved by planting aquatic plants and a floating island may be created to provide an area for nesting waterbirds.

Signs will be erected so visitors can learn about the wildlife and plants and locals will be invited to get involved through a "friends of" group.

An open day on June 23 will involve wildflower planting, making bird feeders, a "minibeast" hunt and activities focusing on the environment.

A council spokeswoman said: "Dawsholm Park is within 1000 metres of highly populated residential areas such as Maryhill and Anniesland.

"It is a favourite with bird watchers and naturalists and and has a children's play area, picnic benches, woodland walks and many seats where visitors can rest and observe the wildlife."

The council recently cleared a car park area to make it suitable for leisure use, renovated a path and improved one of the main entrances.

In April, a 40-strong team from Clyde-built HMS Daring planted 200 oak trees supplied by Kelvin Clyde Greenspace and the council.

The announcement in November last year that St Aloysius College was considering buying the park to convert it into sports facilities sparked outrage among locals.

Catherine Menzies and Theresa Brown, who walk in the park regularly, threatened to tie themselves to trees to prevent them being felled.

Today Theresa said the news about the park's future was "absolutely fantastic."

She added: "We had lost heart and really thought the bulldozers would move in so we are over the moon that the park is safe.

"Dawsholm is one of Glasgow's hidden gems and the news that it is now a nature reserve means there can be a happy ending.