Internationally-acclaimed artist George Wyllie MBE will welcome the latest addition to Hulme Park, a sculpture based on a Rolls Royce radiator grille, on Friday 10 August.
Mr Wyllie's stainless steel sculpture Temple represents the car maker's distinctive grille and iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figure.
Hulme Park stands on the site of the original Rolls Royce factory, which opened in 1904, and the company granted permission for the distinctive design to be reproduced.
The 1.5 metre high sculpture, facing Stretford Road, is dedicated to Manchester's older people. It was inspired by reminiscence workshops held by Hulme residents, some of whom had previously worked in the factory.
The sculpture, installed by South Manchester Regeneration Team and Manchester City Galleries, will be launched at 2.15pm by George Wyllie. Between 1.30pm and 3.30pm older people attending the event will have the chance to try a wide variety of cultural and arts activities at the park and the nearby Zion Arts Centre. These include Tai Chi, painting, crafts, willow weaving, singing, aromatherapy and flower arranging.
Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Arts and Leisure, said: "We are proud that Hulme Park should be the permament home for this sculpture. It's wonderful that visitors can enjoy work by someone of George Wyllie's calibre and fitting that it references Hulme's history as the first home of Rolls Royce. The sculpture further enhances Hulme Park's importance as a community asset."
George Wyllie, 87, is widely recognised as Scotland's greatest living sculptor and specialises in monumental sculptures in urban settings, including the giant bicycle outside Atlas bar in Castlefield. He has exhibited regularly throughout the UK and his work is represented in major public and private collections including those of Glasgow Modern Art Gallery and the Scottish Arts Council. He was made an MBE in 2005.
Dr Wyllie said: "Temple is a visual pat on the back for the people of Manchester. As a Scot I appreciate great engineering and I wanted to recognise Manchester's role in producing Rolls Royces.
"People in Manchester seem to be on the same wavelength as me. They seem to like my sculpture and I'm glad Temple will have a permanent home in such an appropriate location."
Hulme Park was the first large scale new park to be built in Manchester for more than 50 years when it was created in 1999 at a cost of £3 million. Since then further improvements, including a £20,000 BMX dirt jump facility opened earlier this summer, have reinforced its status as a community asset.
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