Plymouth, Devonport Park

PLYMOUTH
DATA

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

DEVONPORT PARK

In August 1857 the War Department consented to Devonport Corproation renting part of the glacis adjoining New Passage Hill, amounting to 37 acres, for use as a public park. The rent was to be £65 10s per annum.

It was estimated that it would cost £900 to put the area into a proper condition. The Government provided £300 from a special fund set aside to assist public bodies to form parks for the inhabitants.

A view of Devonport Park showing the Bandstand.

The Corproation voted another £250 from the rates, the Lord of the Manor donated £100 and the 26 members of the Council subscribed £60. The balance had to be raised by subscriptions from the local people.

The main walk extends along the length of the old trench that surrounded the Granby Barracks.

At the entrance to the Park in Stoke Road is a Swiss Lodge, surrounded by gardens. It was designed by Mr Alfred Norman of Devonport.

The Park originally contained a Bandstand, where in the summer months the bands of the local volunteers and visiting regiments would entertain the public.

At Midday on Thursday March 8th 1894 the Mayor of Devonport, Alderman W Waycott, cut the first sod in the laying out and improvement of the Park. A procession left Devonport Guildhall at 11.30am led by the Borough Band and then 50 Borough Police under the direction of Superintendent Matters; the Fire Brigade; the Mercantile Association; the Schools Board; the Local Board Commissioners; the Borough Officials and then members of the Corporation. From Ker Street it went via St Aubyn and Fore Streets. The architect was Mr S Roberts and the contractor was Mr A N Coles.

The first tree was planted in the Park on October 22nd 1894 by the Chairman of the Park Committee, Alderman J May.

A further tree was planted during the official opening of the Park to the public by the Mayor, Alderman J B James, on October 28th 1895.