People's Parks

VICTORIAN URBAN PUBLIC PARKS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

By

Most British towns and cities gained at least one public park between 1830 and 1914, and the West Midland region is fortunate in having some of the most striking examples which were as much part of the new urban culture as libraries, museums, galleries and public baths.

Some were designed by leading landscape gardeners such as John Claudius Loudon (1783-1843), John Gibson (1815-75), William Barron (1805-91) and Thomas Mawson (1861-1933), but many others were designed by borough engineers, nurserymen, architects and committee members, sometimes after public competitions.

The majority of these parks were – or became – fully public supported by local government, but a number were semi-public ventures funded through subscriptions and entrance fees. Others were created and managed by private companies. Some impetus came from civic rivalries and emulation, with towns competing to show off the best designs and demonstrate their urbanity, civic pride and sophistication.

Download the Full Article (PDF)

Categories:

Green Spaces

Books from History West Midlands

Fortunes of War:
Fortunes of War:
The West Midlands at the Time of Waterloo

In Andrew Watts, Emma Tyler, Andrew Watts, Emma Tyler, Waterloo, Military,

Buy Now £7.99

The Lunar Men
The Lunar Men
The Friends Who Made the Future 1730-1810

In Lunar Society,

Buy Now £6.00

Speeches that changed Britain

Buy Now £10.00

More from History West Midlands

'Shabby Towns of Smother Amid Smother'
'Shabby Towns of Smother Amid Smother'

POLLUTING THE BLACK COUNTRY

In Green Spaces, Black Country,

'This Peaceful Shade'
'This Peaceful Shade'

THE GARDEN OF WILLIAM SHENSTONE

In Green Spaces,

Reverend D'Ewes Coke, His Wife Hannah, And Daniel Parker, MP
Reverend D'Ewes Coke, His Wife Hannah, And Daniel Parker, MP

BY JOSEPH WRIGHT, C. 1780-82

In Green Spaces,