Cowan Xerscape 5 Traditional Cache

The purpose of this series of five caches is to bring people to this small park in Barrhead and to hopefully use the free exercise machines around which these are placed. Bring a pen. From the entrance doing all five caches and returning to entrance is approx. 1 mile

Not compulsory, however if you wish to post a selfie using the exercise machines then that would be great

Cache is a large bison. Enjoy.

Logsheet is a double column, please complete left hand side first.

History of the park

1910: Following his death, James Cowan, a successful businessman, originally from Barrhead, bequested £10000 for the creation of a Public Park for the residents of his hometown of Barrhead. 40 acres of land was purchased for £4250 from the estate of John & Joseph Turner (of Parkhouse) ....."to be held by said Grantees in perpuity as a Public Park to be designated 'The COWAN PARK' for the use of inhabitants of said Burgh and for no other purpose" (see archive section)

June 22nd 1911: Cowan Park was formally opened, the date was chosen to coincide with the coronation of King George V. To commemorate the park opening, John & Joseph Turner provided trees and shrubs 'to beautify the site' and presented local children and officials with commemorative medals.

1909-1911:The area at South of Park now occupied by by 11 a-side pitches, 3G pitch & Johnny Kelly Pavillion served as Barrhed Aerodrome. This area only became part of Cowan Park when land was purchased 'as compensation' for land sold in 1968 for building of Barrhead High School

1914 - 1918: Parts of Cowan Park used for planting food due to shortage during WW1

1922: War Memorial unveiled. The memorial carries the names of 294 men who sacrificed their lives during WWI. One woman is named, Rebeca McFarlane, who was the daughter of the Gateside Laundry manager and who served as a nurse during the war

1949: War Memorial updated 1950 Houston & Young erect public convenience within Cowan Park

1953: Provost Andrew Shanks gifts the avenue of Lime Trees near to bandstand to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Aug 1st 1968: 8 & 14/100 acres of Cowan Park sold to County of Renfrew for existing Barrhead High School to be built

May 15th 1975: Barrhead Burgh ceased to exist. Park now entrusted to Renfrew District Council.

1996: Following local government reorganisation, Barrhead now part of East Renfrewshire. Cowan Park now entrusted to East Renfrewshire Council