Duthie Park. A place I basically lived in as a child. Now I'm older (not much older mind you), I'm still there all the time, just not for the see-saw. Some people forget that parks aren't just for children. They forget that parks are in fact beautiful places that anyone can enjoy. Duthie Park is definitely one of those parks.

Duthie Park is situated very near the centre of of the city, just a 5-10 minute brisk walk from the centre of town, it is easily accessible from all areas in Aberdeen so no one has to miss out or travel very far. Luckily, it only takes me 15 minutes to walk there, so I can enjoy the beauty anytime I wish but now I'm just bragging.

Not only is the park near the centre of town, but it is accessible from every corner. With car parks at the lower and top ends of the park, you never have to worry about having to walk too far. There are plenty paths to enter the park that are only accessible by foot, bicycle, scooter etc. These are evenly spread all around the park so even though the park covers a large area, you don't have to walk a mile round the outside to get into it.

Once you actually get into the park, you are met with plenty things to do. 2 play parks with swings, chutes, see-saws, climbing frames etc, winter gardens and hot house, 2 ponds (one with seasonal kayaking), a rose hill perfect for a romantic stroll, a bandstand with regular performances, plenty grassy areas for sunbathing, football, frisbee, running etc, a basketball court, a cafe/restaurant with toilet facilities, free standing toilets near the rosehill, forest areas and a gift shop.

As you can imagine, you can easily spend a few hours or even a whole day in the park without getting bored, it just depends how you spend your time.

Personally, I don't use the playparks often. Not to say that I don't use them, I regularly take a walk to the park in the evening with my best friend and a latte and we'll sit on the swings and have a gossip, but this isn't why I love the Duthie Park. I love to go running at the park. I currently have a lot of free time and like to go during the day throughout the week to run a few laps of the park, taking in the nature and the beautiful sculpture work, clearing my head and getting a good workout. This is all for free might I add, as there is no admission fee to the park.

I'm not sure I can explain just how much I've fallen in love with this park lately.

I remember being 5 years old and swinging on the swings for hours. Rain or shine, it was my favourite activity.
I remember being 10 years old and swinging on the monkey bars with my friends the playing kiss chase among the trees.
I remember being 13/14/15 and going to the park late at nights with my friends to play 2 man hunt in the bushes or have a bit of a drink (we were rebel children apparently).
I have some wonderful memories in that park (and some not so wonderful memories), but I have never loved it so much as I do now.

So here I am, declaring my love for the Duthie Park, I just wish you could share it's beauty with me.

Thanks for reading!