A series of changes are being made to Kelvingrove Park today that will remain in place over the course of the summer. 

It comes after a spate of large gatherings took place at the park this summer, with thousands leaving behind litter and disregarding physical distancing. 

It's understood the gatherings have been linked to anti-social behaviour, such as public drinking, public urination, significant littering and disorder, which has included assaults on police officers.

The authority have said the series of anti-social incidents has often deterred others from entering the park at times.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Hundreds gather in Kelvingrove Park with no regard for social distancing

To help manage the open space more effectively on days when large numbers are anticipated, ten of the park’s sixteen entrances will be closed with immediate effect for the remainder of the summer season.

This means that visitors will be channelled through six entry points at key locations to the north, south, east and west of the park. The access points for the cycle route NCN 756, which passes through the park, will be retained.

On days where large numbers are expected to flock to the park, council officers will be stationed at the gates with support from the police to remind visitors of the park management rules, including the prohibition on drinking alcohol.

Anyone seeking to enter the park with alcohol will be either be asked to dispose of their alcohol before entering the park or refused entry.  

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Carnage in the Park: Air unit and ground fleet drafted in to evacuate large gatherings at Kelvingrove Park

Chief Inspector Morag Lister, area commander at Greater Glasgow Division said: “Kelvingrove Park has recently been home to some deplorable scenes of violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour, including officers being assaulted in their endeavours to keep people safe.

“There is a minority group who are intent on using the park for purposes other than recreation and we have been working in close collaboration with Glasgow City Council to mitigate the risk that this group poses to the park’s long-term sustainability and its thousands of other users.

"Sadly, those mitigation measures have resulted in the majority of the park’s entrances being locked as a result of the behaviour of this minority group.

"The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

READ MORE: Licensing chiefs to visit pubs, bars and shops selling booze after carnage in Kelvingrove

"Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation."

Additional CCTV operations will also be implemented to the park in a bid to make the public space a safer place.

The changes come after Police Scotland's air fleet and ground fleet were drafted to the park last month to evacuate "thousands" of people from the grounds on Scotland's hottest day this year.