Thought to be Glasgow’s first ‘common land,’ it is named for the River Kelvin which flows through the park. The layout of the park with its paths cutting down the hillside was designed by English Gardner Sir Joseph Paxton, the leading landscaper at the time and perhaps most famous for his work on London’s Crystal Palace.

The park is home to three war memorial statues; the Highland Light Infantry Memorial, the Cameronian Rifles Memorial, and the Lord Roberts Monument commemorating Field Marshall Earl Roberts of Kandahar. As well as points of heritage such as the Stewart Memorial Fountain, built for Lord Provost Robert Stewart, and statues of scientist Lord Kelvin and Field Marshall Lord Roberts, the park contains a large play area for children, and an extended skate park adjoining it.