People's Park

In 1881 Edward Heneage offered land between Welholme Road and Weelsby Road in Grimsby for the purpose of establishing a public park in Grimsby. His design, 'Semper Paratus' ('Always Ready'), laid out strong axis and curvilinear paths. The Park was opened by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught on 17 August 1883 during which they planted a tree, an event pictured in The Illustrated London News. ]] In 1884 two large arched entrance gates at the two junctions to Park Drive and Welholme Road were erected with a plaque detailing the gift of the land by Heneage. These dramatic entrance features were built be Young & Akridd of Hull for £150 per set in 1884. The gates unfortunately were removed in…

The idea of a public park in Grimsby was first proposed in about 1860, and in 1869 the 'Great Grimsby Improvement Act' was set up. Mr Billing, the Superintendent of Grimsby Cemetery, was responsible for organising the planting of about 700 trees, including about 120 elm trees, about 240 lime trees, about 120 sycamore trees, and about 120 chestnut trees. These trees had been purchased and planted before the winning design to lay out the new park had been decided. Of the 24 designs submitted the winning design was that of William Barron and Son of the Elvaston Nurseries in Derbyshire, who was awarded the contract in June 1882. William Barron's design was a figure of eight with the top loop in…