Rotherham The Unofficial Website

www.rotherhamunofficial.co.uk

Urban Parks

For an industrial town Rotherham is well-blessed with urban parks. In spring, summer and autumn the flower beds in the parks are usually a treat. At the entrance to Clifton Park there is a small bed which used planted with pictures done in flowers. I looked last year and although this bed was very nicely planted there was no picture. I have tried very hard to remember when the flower pictures ceased but I can't. Funny how things fall by the wayside and you never notice that they've gone.

Telephone land lines to the various park offices have been taken out and mobile phones provided. If you wish to make enquiries about any of the parks please contact Clifton Park Rangers Office, Clifton Park, Rotherham Tel. 01709 836844 or email urbanparkrangerserviceatrotherham.gov.uk (remember to replace at with @).

Many of these parks have Friends' Groups; please visit Friends of Rotherham for details and contact numbers of those I've found.

Facilities in the Parks open about the third week in March each year and close again some time in October.

Austen Park, Aston

This does not appear on Rotherham Council's list of parks in the borough but is there none the less. This is because it is owned and administrated by Aston Parish Council. It is situated off Lodge Lane.

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Coronation Park & Muglet Lane Recreation Ground, Maltby

The park was created in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. I lived in Maltby for some years but I have to confess that I never visited here. There is a general recreation area with floral displays.

Facilities:- Bowling green, Tennis courts.

May 2004 A new Parks Development Ranger for Maltby has been appointed funded by the New Opportunities Fund. He will develop ideas and co-ordinate the use of Maltby's green spaces. Tel. 01709 811109. There is also a Friend's group.

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Dinnington Park

Dinnington Park does not appear on the Rotherham Borough Council's list of parks but there is definitely a park on Nursery Road. This apparently does not have "park" status but is regarded as a POS, a public open space.

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Ferham Park

My brother's godparents used to live right opposite and we spent many an happy hour kicking a football around here. It is very small - you can walk across it in five minutes and despite flowerbeds and a tree-lined walk seems very desolate every time I pass by. In 2006 a new play area has been developed.

Facilities:- Football pitch, Tennis courts, Children's play area, BMX/Skate Park opened for bikes and skateboards in 2003.

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Greasbrough Park

Greasbrough is a small park right in the heart of the village and is very popular and well-used.

Facilities:- Bowling green, Children's play area.

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Greenlands Park, North Anston

This fourteen acre park was reclaimed from a former quarry tip site. This park is due to have a bit of brass spent on it and in 2007 there will be a new play area and a new pavilion.

Facilities:- Football pitch, Cricket pitch, Children's play area.

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Newhill Park, Wath otherwise known as Wath Bath Fields

I know nothing much about the park other than that it contains the Payne Mausoleum, a listed building. I understand that the park used to be the grounds of Newhill Hall. The hall has disappeared but let us be grateful for the park. There is very little here but an expanse of grass suitable for dog walking or kicking a football about, and a few trees.

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Valley Park, Herringthorpe

There are seventy acres of open parkland including Herringthorpe Wood and Gibbing Greave Wood. There is also an orienteering course. This is one of my favourite places for a Sunday morning walk. I'm sure that there used to be a scrambling course here or hereabouts in the long ago days when motor cycling scrambling was very popular. Considering the noise from trials bikes I am not surprised that's its no longer there. One of my espondents, Darrell, has corrected my memory about this - the scrambling "actually took place in Listerdale, and was the only time, each year, when the public were allowed access. My whole family went each year for a grand day out, and a picnic, whilst watching the hill-climb trials, in cars, as well as bikes. In about 1952/3 a motor bike scrambling course was laid out, but I think that the damage it did persuaded Joe Lister to halt it." There is a Friends' group.

Facilities:- Bowling green, Tennis courts, Children's play area, Pitch and Putt.

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