'Parklife' past and present: The Whitworth Park Community Archaeology and History Project

Citation

Jones S, Cobb H, Colton R & Giles M (2013) 'Parklife' past and present: The Whitworth Park Community Archaeology and History Project. Journal of Victorian Culture Online. http://jvc.oup.com/2013/03/26/parklife-past-and-present-the-whitworth-park-community-archaeology-and-history-project/

Abstract
First paragraph: Whitworth Park was opened in 1890 towards the tail end of the most prolific park building period the country has ever known. It cost £69,000, and was filled with features designed for the recreation and health of the surrounding neighbourhood. The park became extremely popular on its opening, “abundantly visited” by the local population,[1]with some “six to eight thousand” people present on a Sunday afternoon in April 1893.[2]In its Victorian and Edwardian hey-day, Whitworth Park boasted many typical features, such as a bandstand, a large boating lake, an observatory, various shelters, extensive formal flowerbeds, statues, and a covered walkway (Fig 1). However, many of these were removed in the post-war period; a common fate reflecting changes in urban park management and funding cuts.

Keywords
Heritage Lottery; Parks; Open Spaces; Public Engagement, Community Heritage

Journal
Journal of Victorian Culture Online