Plant Hill Park

Parks history:

From the time of its City Charter, politicians began to urge the purchase and provision of suitable open spaces where it might build parks for the working people. The main campaigner for parks had been Mark Philips, MP, (after whom the Park in Bradford is named). It took seven years of intense campaigning before the Committee for Public Walks; Gardens & Playgrounds was set up and opened its first public parks in 1846. They were: Queen's Park and Philips Park .

Before this time there had been no open spaces where working people could relax or walk. Few houses, except those of the very wealthy, even had back gardens, and any parks that did exist (including Heaton Park and Wythenshawe Park) were in private ownership and not accessible to the general public.

The first public parks to be officially opened on the designated day were Queens Park followed by Philips Park , which was opened by Councillor Entwistle MP. Many other parks followed, and other acquisitions were made well into the twentieth century, with Wythenshawe Park, Heaton Park and Platt Fields being purchased by the city in the early 20th century.

In 1856 John Shaw was appointed as first Inspector of Public Parks for the City of Manchester , having already distinguished himself with his designs for Stamford Park in Altrincham.

Heavily industrialised though Manchester was, it took its civic duties very seriously, and by the early 20th century it boasted more public parks than any other English city outside London .

The land on which Plant Hill Park is situated was acquired by the Corporation of Manchester in 1935 and totalled 12 acres.  Reference is made to the Park in the 'Manchester Guardian' on the 29th September 1938 when work began constructing trenches.  'It is emphasised that these trenches are intended primarily for those people who, because they have neither cellars nor gardens at their own homes, are unable to make their own provision for safety'.

Post war there is a very limited history to the site, with most references being made to the larger district parks in the area.

During the 1970's and 80's and into the early 90's very little investment was made in Parks and consequently in the main they became very rundown and magnets for anti-social behaviour.

By 1996 the Park was nearly devoid of any facilities.  The changing facility for use by football teams was so badly vandalised that it required demolition.  There remained a few pieces of antiquated children's play equipment that no longer met the needs of local children; the only other facilities were two grass football pitches.

Plant Hill Park in the run down condition it was in gave a very negative message and feeling to the neighbourhood.  With this in mind local residents in partnership with us established a 'Friends' of the park group in August 2005.  Through the forum of the Local Action Partnership (LAP) awareness was raised about the importance of the site.  Apart from being a place for recreation and sport, urban parks are often where local people's first experience of nature takes place.

Regeneration of Plant Hill started in 2000/1 when capital investment was made available to introduce children's play equipment.  This range of children's play combined with sports facilities for young people offered diversionary activities and helped reduce the levels of vandalism and ASB that were occurring.

In recent years, through partnership working the Friends of Plant Hill Park we have secured over £130k of funding.  The provision for sports and recreation in Plant Hill are now the best in Higher Blackely.