park victorian park opened park designed incorporates mansion associated grounds estate owner sold estate opening known people park park expanded council purchased adjacent gardens estate added park extended park total size acres end 20th century park fallen disrepair subject million restoration project funded host million visitors year park split broadly sections southern section area open space western corner central area contains park home grade listed surrounding walls fully restored visitor centre war memorials tree maze area containing species animals known pet corner largest section park section contains acre boating lake wooded island centre bowling presented numerous awards recent years including named britain best park year won green flag award year listed sites park social hub century annual public night display held circus park hosted holidays home programme world war today display grown largest wear attended thousands people year october site plays role local sport recreation hosted fundraising day support race life number years november green gym installed park conception opening turn 19th century beginning expand save industrial elements mainly sheriff hill south shore town surrounds agricultural town covered large private estates largest estate consisted acres land broad villages low fell estate broken number smaller properties including cottage estate hands native newcastle leading stained glass england commissioned design grand victorian mansion family live work began continued towers finally completed large eclectic mansion red brick gothic turrets mock building expanding resultant air pollution poor social conditions general shortage clean drinking water town led concern public health gave rise calls creation public parks editorial local newspaper observer demanded park built owners acres land approached town council offered land free charge long place recreation people land formally conveyed november opening public park celebrated closing day holiday town subsequently considered sites second park discouraged high prices asked estate owners estate owned sir approached council park committee asked required purchase estate whilst negotiations ongoing james offer sell estate acre met fierce criticism members public council began seek alternative proposal town clerk wrote ask willing sell acres estate november replied council entire estate march james told park committee wish compete offer subscription council went ahead later month park committee formally opened talks proposals considered rejected september council decided buy entire estate increased total price securing loan agreement months later included provision lease remainder life having obtained estate council contacted local asked submit designs new park refused citing pressure existing work park committee retained day plans submitted approved february plans implemented period years borough surveyor cost original plans officially open park monday realised park officially opened nonetheless public usage began late design layout located residential area kilometres south town centre land slopes west broad boundaries east original site purchased joined gardens late 19th century villa known grove purchased park today constitutes acres land total park split sections southern central northern areas entire park bordered perimeter shrubs plants trees southern area central section old stone wall running west east direction formed park original southern boundary according document important feature history development park section consists largely open space pathways perimeter entrances section park west extreme south east corner central section comprises grounds acres total area located middle central section park surrounded south accompanying walls enclosed rose garden lies east building west maze stream runs lily pond entrance park approach southern section large area paths wind towers general leisure activities home stone built war memorial entrance site bronze war memorial sits centre roundabout surrounded flowers built war memorial northern section park constitutes acres land accessed external entrances north eastern corner park internally central section north eastern entrance consists pair imposing view access point sweeps entire northern section park eastern perimeter section walkway known adjacent banked planting central path splits large area half leads lake child play areas path circles perimeter lake seating placed fringe lake points south lake bowling north tennis courts seen lake screen plants plants screen typical park include french roses silver dust principal attractions listed buildings home later lawyer founder nearby seat estate described bbc report mansion building dark red yellow brick construction towers tall chimney corner turrets number purposes including hospital world war museum abandoned fell considerable disrepair million year refurbishment programme completed building officially reopened visitors centre presence great great grandson today includes cafe pieces local art exhibition history park stained glass commissioned local artist blue plaque commemoration installed mansion protected grade listed building storey sandstone walls surround west south mansion stairs corner entire walls walkway open public stable block north west built style mansion red brick slate roof grade listed building educational area schools local community groups north west stone granite fountain inscribed memory mayor grade listed west entrance central section park dated sandstone construction basin central midway north section park grade listed bronze statue mounted sandstone granite base built paid public subscription wrought iron gates accompanying stone piers greet visitors north eastern entrance park grade listed war memorials park boer war memorial central section park metres south consists bronze angel granite dated modern memorial unveiled july mayor newcastle takes form sandstone wall adjoining flanking walls create small ornamental garden plaques description commemorating men battalion died battle war memorial bridge adjoining central gardens walls timber feet long feet wide named bridge copy original bridge crossed carved low stone wall runs alongside inscription commemorates men died whilst crossing original operation second world war principal feature northern section park boating lake tender install acres lake island centre accepted august approach lake received response approach design lake edge successful lake edge today follows original design model boating fixture lake latest organisation use lake purpose island centre lake home visiting performers required travel boat island moved section park summer months visitors hire rowing boats use lake lake long inhabited ducks home species including canada common inhabit lake winter migrating russia central europe reported returned lake lengthy absence animals kept june initially included deer animals kept north east park area called pets corner rabbits guinea pigs kept pair built paid chief constable stone wrought iron octagonal constructions listed grade english heritage erected subsequently replaced octagonal red brick cast iron wood structure sited northern fields moved island lake moved taken rebuilt remains use designated grade listed building present area sunday summer months brass bands western shadow maze built family use maze trees regeneration project original plans laid renovated picturesque wooded area stream bridges lily pond inspired local artist paint 19th century final 21st century restoration project completed reopening public march end wooden shelters whilst centre marked pavilion pavilion opened pavilion decades fell disrepair 1980s derelict completely destroyed fire fully reconstructed including replica original clock tower new toilet facilities offers views northern fields boating lake oriental garden opened mark year anniversary arrangement includes gravel pond stone park host bowling pavilion rose garden attractions installed subsequently removed park including pool museum retired modified airplane aircraft wings cut short marked awards usage opening called people park locally today today park green lung centre attracts million visitors year named britain best park park chosen year received gold laurel award park won green flag award year listed sites park long hub local social activities events public display held circus hosted holidays home programme conducted world war september end war families american enjoy rides dancing brass bands events night fireworks display held park years public displays lane event grown largest displays wear attended thousands people october site thousand crosses planted enchanted parks event hosted seventh consecutive year december collection winter themed visual arts sculpture interactive features attracts visitors year annual sculpture day held park seven years members public invited build themed sculptures supervision local professionals renewal themed wonders world held attracted hundreds families hosted national fundraising event women organised number years kilometres course attempted competitors years latest renewal held march park hosted fundraising day support annual charity event organised bbc fun runs boating lake attracted participants total including guitarist local athletics club hosted annual kilometres race park named road race honour long standing club president oldest road race england olympic silver won race consecutive years renewal saw beat competitors win race second time november green gym opened park fitness equipment installed near tennis courts section park available use public free charge outdoor public opened simultaneously nature reserve
Saltwell Park