Barking Park
Encyclopedia
Barking Park, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
, in east London, is a park covering just under 30 hectares to the east of Barking
town centre. It lies north of Longbridge Road, and is near the boundary with Loxford
. The park was the first council controlled park in the Borough, and was first established as a classic Victorian
park in 1896. According to the newly restored commemorative plaque by the main gates in Longbridge Road, it was officially opened on 9 April 1898 by Councillor C L Beard J.P., Chairman of Barking Town Urban District Council.
The park's most significant feature is a 910 metre long boating lake on the north side of the park. Rowing boats were introduced first, and then on 1 April 1953, motor boats and a Mississippi style paddle steamer called "Phoenix II" made their debut. The paddle steamer continued to operate on the lake until 1967.
Other facilities include tennis and basketball courts, two bowling greens (indoor and outdoor), a children's playground, football pitches and a flower garden. A lido was built in 1931 but this was closed permanently in 1988. The longstanding park cafe was demolished and a roller-skating park built on the site.
The park contains a recently renovated war memorial for men of the Barking Town Urban District
who fell in World War I
and World War II
. Every year on Remembrance Day (usually the 2nd Sunday in November) a commemorative ceremony is held at the war memorial preceded by music from a local marching band.
In 2006 the council received stage one funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund
to develop a proposal for restoration of the park. Since then two lengthy new pathways have been constructed in the main grassed area adjacent to Longbridge Road.
About halfway along the line, trains went through a gated level crossing. When trains were not running, the level crossing afforded access to the park from the adjacent Park Avenue, but this side entrance has now been permanently closed.
The railway ran until 2005 when it was closed by the owner, who felt that it was no longer cost effective to maintain and repair the train; however, the railway has since been redeveloped by a father & son team who bought the line from the previous owner. It now features new trains, and new gauge track, with wheelchair-friendly station access. The new train service ran a few times during 2008 but the official grand re-opening took place at Easter in 2009. The previous level crossing was removed.
http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/barking-park/
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 1,937; and the area was characterised by farming, woodland and the fishing fleet at Barking. This last industry employed 1,370 men and boys by 1850, but by the end of the century had ceased to exist; replaced by...
, in east London, is a park covering just under 30 hectares to the east of Barking
Barking
Barking is a suburban town in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in East London, England. A retail and commercial centre situated in the west of the borough, it lies east of Charing Cross. Barking was in the historic county of Essex until it was absorbed by Greater London. The area is...
town centre. It lies north of Longbridge Road, and is near the boundary with Loxford
Loxford
Loxford is a district of Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge in north-east London, UK. It is a densely built-up, multi-ethnic locality.-History:...
. The park was the first council controlled park in the Borough, and was first established as a classic Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
park in 1896. According to the newly restored commemorative plaque by the main gates in Longbridge Road, it was officially opened on 9 April 1898 by Councillor C L Beard J.P., Chairman of Barking Town Urban District Council.
The park's most significant feature is a 910 metre long boating lake on the north side of the park. Rowing boats were introduced first, and then on 1 April 1953, motor boats and a Mississippi style paddle steamer called "Phoenix II" made their debut. The paddle steamer continued to operate on the lake until 1967.
Other facilities include tennis and basketball courts, two bowling greens (indoor and outdoor), a children's playground, football pitches and a flower garden. A lido was built in 1931 but this was closed permanently in 1988. The longstanding park cafe was demolished and a roller-skating park built on the site.
The park contains a recently renovated war memorial for men of the Barking Town Urban District
Municipal Borough of Barking
Barking was a local government district in south west Essex, England from 1882 to 1965. It included the town of Barking, eastern Beckton and the south western part of the Becontree estate. The district was within the Metropolitan Police District and experienced a steady increase in population...
who fell in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Every year on Remembrance Day (usually the 2nd Sunday in November) a commemorative ceremony is held at the war memorial preceded by music from a local marching band.
In 2006 the council received stage one funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
to develop a proposal for restoration of the park. Since then two lengthy new pathways have been constructed in the main grassed area adjacent to Longbridge Road.
Barking Park Light Railway
Barking Park Light Railway, a miniature passenger railway, opened in the early 1950s. It originally consisted of three coaches hauled by a steam locomotive named "The Empress", running over a length of gauge track, from the main park entrance at Longbridge Road to a turntable at the boating lake. After being replaced by a sit-in diesel locomotive named "Little Nan", The Empress was eventually restored and re-gauged to and is now running at the Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway.About halfway along the line, trains went through a gated level crossing. When trains were not running, the level crossing afforded access to the park from the adjacent Park Avenue, but this side entrance has now been permanently closed.
The railway ran until 2005 when it was closed by the owner, who felt that it was no longer cost effective to maintain and repair the train; however, the railway has since been redeveloped by a father & son team who bought the line from the previous owner. It now features new trains, and new gauge track, with wheelchair-friendly station access. The new train service ran a few times during 2008 but the official grand re-opening took place at Easter in 2009. The previous level crossing was removed.
Sources
- The Boroughs parks and open spaces LB Barking and Dagenham, Local studies info sheet #6
http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/barking-park/
External links
- Barking and Dagenham Council - Barking Park
- Barking Park Light Railway