ABOUT THE PARK 1857 - 2013
1857 The Grand Opening
The Grand opening of the park was in 1857, and created a sensation in the town.
Blackburn was deserted as the Mayor led the procession from the town hall to the park to the official opening. Shops were closed at noon and manufacturers let loose their thousands of employees so that they could participate.
There was plenty of drama on the opening day. The cannon battery at the top of the park roared and thundered to welcome over 60,000 attendees. Many of the crowd had their own guns and they fired them enthusiastically into the air. There were fireworks & rockets which launched cascades of coloured fire into the air.
The park inspired the generosity of public benefactors; Mayor William Pilkington donated three fountains, Alderman Cunningham donated two black swans to adorn the lake which had already been stocked by gifts of duck and geese from local people. In 1958
Mr Walsh an ornithologist from Beardwood,opened the aviary and donated thirty birds.
CORPORATION PARK
BLACKBURN LANCASHIRE
BLACKBURN LANCASHIRE
1863 The Broad Walk was constructed providing work for hundreds of cotton workers during the Cotton Famine. The paths were paved with stones from the quarries on the upperslope.
1900s The original bandstand was demolished and a larger one built on the same site at a cost of £2,000.
2006 The Park is reopened by the Mayor & Mayoress celebrating the
3 million pound refurbishment.
3 million pound refurbishment.
The Park in 1857
1923 First two bowling greens are laid below the eastern end of the Broadwalk.
2009 Nov Remembrance Day in the remembrance gardens at the main entrance to the park.
The Sebastopol cannons
1870 Some of the original stone steps
2013 March People plant special messages for their loved ones at the
Inter- faith memorial day.
Inter- faith memorial day.
1970'sThe childrens play area is very popular
1863 Rail Bill to Blackburn. Day trip to Corporation Park
1890 The Preston New Road Entrance
1950's White swans adorn the lake
Now in 2013 there are still many features of the park; some old and some new. Below is a slide show of photos taken in the park which reflect everything the park has to offer. Slide shows start automatically.
Activities
Children's cycle track, 6 Tennis courts, older children's adventure area, 3 bowling greens with new bowling pavilion, younger children's play area with slides & swings, basket ball court and new discovery trail, with discovery stones which take the visitor right around the park.
The Parks Wildlife
The park has an array of wildlife, from to water birds to inquisitive squirrels.
The park has an array of wildlife, from to water birds to inquisitive squirrels.
Structures of Interest
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1923 The tennis courts.
1923 The park landscape before the italian gardens were laid