Page Park is a park[1] in the Staple Hill area of South Gloucestershire.[2]
In 1910, the park was donated to the people of Staple Hill by Arthur William Page, the same year he was elected Alderman of the county of Gloucestershire.[3]
The land on which the park was formed was originally part of the Hill House estate. The road to the east of the park is named Hill House Road. Nineteen acres of land from the estate were set aside for the park. An official opening took place on 14 December 1910.[3] The National Anthem was sung whilst an oak sapling was planted.
In the centre of the park stands an impressive pavilion, known locally as the clock tower because of the four-faced clock upon its roof.[4] The clock tower remains to this day and gives its image as the symbol of the park.[5]
The park contains other features:
- a drinking fountain donated in 1912
- seating
- public toilets
- a band stand donated in 1927, restored in 2013[6]
- tennis courts donated in 1929
- a tennis pavilion in 1930
- bowling green in 1948[7][8]
The park has a selection of sports fields, accommodating football and cricket teams. It was the start and finish place for the Kingswood Festival marathon in 1985.[9]
The park is currently undergoing a transformation to become the green heart of Staple Hill. With help from South Gloucestershire Council, the Big Lottery Fund, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.[10] The creation of a new cafe[11] and community spaces are amongst the improvements.
The park is the venue for the Big Lunch; a community event designed to bring together the people of Staple Hill with music, children's rides and family entertainment.[12][13]
Friends of Page Park
editThe Friends of Page Park are a non-profit making, voluntary group of local residents and park users whose aim is to protect and improve the park and its facilities for the community and future generations. The group is a registered charity. The friends have worked on a number of projects to help fundraiser for the park and to implement improvements and events for the benefit of the local community.
The Friends charity website is http://www.friendsofpagepark.co.uk/home.html [1]
References
edit- ^ "Page Park, Staple Hill". www.parksandgardens.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "South glos council". 27 October 2015. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018.
- ^ a b "HISTORY - Friends of Page Park". www.friendsofpagepark.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Geograph:: 2011 : Clock Tower Page Park, Staple... (C) Maurice Pullin". www.geograph.org.uk. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Downend Voice". www.downendvoice.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Bandstand back at its best". Bristol Post. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Page Park Bowls Club". www.pageparkbowls.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "A brief history of Page Park". Friends of Page Park. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ "Soundwell vicar marks retirement by competing in half marathon". Bristol Post. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Page Park gets the go ahead | Heritage Lottery Fund". www.hlf.org.uk. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Opportunity to run new café at Page Park, Staple Hill". www.insouthglos.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "The Big Lunch at Page Park - Things To Do in Emersons Green". www.standbrook-guides.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "The BIG LUNCH". WhereCanWeGo. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2015.