Earlier this month, the River Parks Project (RPP) team had the pleasure of visiting Silverburn Park in Levenmouth — and in particular, the inspiring new Flax Mill Visitor Centre currently under construction at the heart of the park.

We were warmly welcomed by James Young from the Silverburn team, alongside the construction lead from Clarks, who are delivering this major regeneration project. It was fantastic to hear firsthand about the vision and progress of this community-led initiative — and to see how closely its ambitions align with the spirit of the River Parks work, even though we’re not constructing buildings of our own.

What unites both projects is a deep connection to place — and in particular, to the River Leven . Once a lifeblood for the area’s mills and industry, the river is now a focus for regeneration, wellbeing and community opportunity. Both projects are also supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

One of those former mills was Methil Mill, just a short distance downstream. Our RPP archaeologists will soon begin uncovering the site’s story — another thread in the tapestry of the river’s rich industrial heritage. It's exciting to think how both the Flax Mill and Methil Mill, though different in form and function, represent the same spirit of local resilience, ingenuity and renewal.

The Flax Mill itself is an iconic B-listed building that has stood empty for decades. Now, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Fife Council, and in partnership with Fife Historic Buildings Trust, the site is undergoing a remarkable transformation. When complete, it will become a vibrant hub for visitors and the community alike, offering:

• A café and restaurant
• Arts & crafts studios for local makers and enterprises
• A gift shop
• Fully accessible public toilets with Changing Places facilities
• Meeting rooms and event spaces
• Offices for charity staff and partners
• Six en-suite accommodation rooms
• And more...

It’s a bold and beautiful vision — one that promises to generate local employment, support enterprise, and fund the long-term care of Silverburn Park. It will also bolster FEAT’s life-changing work across Levenmouth and beyond.

For us at RPP, it was both grounding and energising to see the site and meet the passionate people behind it. The Flax Mill is a brilliant example of how heritage, nature, and community can come together to create something sustainable and future-focused.

We’ll be watching its progress with great interest — and cheering it on as it rises again beside the River Leven.