Whatman Park, known locally as Millennium Park, is a 18-acre (0.073 km2) park in Maidstone, Kent. It lies along the River Medway, around 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the town centre, and is named after the Whatman papermaking factory nearby, in operation from 1740 until 2014,[1] at the site at Springfield Mill.
| Whatman Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nearest town | Maidstone, England |
| Opened | 2001 |
History
editThe park was opened by Terry Waite and the then-Mayor of Maidstone Paulina Stockell in 2001 as part of the millennium celebrations, using money provided by the National Lottery's 'lasting legacy project'. To mark the Millennium, hundreds of young children's hand and footprints were used as part of an art installation,[2] as well as a piece of public art in the form of a 60-yard long double helix by Scottish sculptor David Annand.[3]
In recent years the park has hosted the Maidstone Mela,[4] an annual world art, music and food festival, as well as various open air cinema events.[5]
Facilities
editThe park features two children's playgrounds, a skate park, boardwalks which run through trees, an open air stage — the riverstage.[6] Both of the river boats, the Kentish Lady and Allington Belle have request stops in the park.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Whatman set to close". Kent Online. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "'To say I was disappointed would be an understatement'". Kent Online. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Whatman Park – Maidstone River Park". www.maidstoneriverpark.co.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Mela Location". Maidstone Mela. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "First black-owned open-air cinema screening". Kent Online. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Whatman Park - Municipal Park in MAIDSTONE, Maidstone - Visit Maidstone". www.visitmaidstone.com. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Whatman Park". Explore Kent. Retrieved 30 July 2024.