Clifton Park
Clifton Park is only a few minutes from the centre of the town and there can be few towns with so nice a park in such a convenient place. Previously in private ownership, the land was purchased by the Borough in 1891 after the death of its owner and opened to the public later that year by the Prince of Wales. It has remained a favourite ever since.
The park plenty of wide open spaces for picknicking or games as well as formal gardens. The town cenotaph, bandstand and Clifton Park Museum (Visit onsite at Culture - Museums -Clifton Park Museum) are found here. Rotherham Show is held here every September - visit onsite at Recreation - Rotherham Events - Events Diary - September Events for more details.
In 2011 the park has received a Green Flag award which recognised excellence in Green Spaces.
What has been lost? All the elm trees - Dutch Elm Disease got them. The donkeys - even when they weren't giving rides they were often in a little paddock just waiting for a fuss. The aviary - I think some vandals burnt it down or destroyed it and it was never replaced. If my memory isn't failing me I think that there was a little railway - but then that might have been another park. The café by the bowling greens has shut but there is now a café in the Museum; open museum hours. Oh and the band concerts - the bandstand is still there and in the last few years has been brought back into use concerts occasionally.
I have always believed, indeed I could have sworn, on the Bible if need be, that this was an oak tree. Well after fifty odd years I have found that it is not............. Well what sort of tree is it, you ask? I dunno. I've been told that it is a beech tree.
In the early years of the 21st Century parts of Clifton Park had been permitted to become very run down. Our Beloved Council applied for and received large grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund to complete renovations and improvements to the park. £4.5 million was received, yes £4.5 million, and Rotherham Council have stumped up some of their own brass as well. I wish I could say that I thought it has been well-spent but I can't. In April 2010 the work has been substantially completed except for the walled garden. I had a good walk around on Sunday 25 April 2010 and frankly I was left scratching my head as to where all the vast sums of money have gone (other than on purchasing large boulders) as many areas and beds are still unweeded and tatty. I am told that RMBC have, or are going to, appoint dedicated gardeners for Clifton Park, so things may look up. They used to have dedicated gardeners, then looking after the park was farmed out to a contractor, who does not seem to have done much looking after.
Amongst the works completed are the rock garden which is really a quite nice area with a pond, cascade and a lot of large boulders; the cascade was not working last time I passed by. New gates and low fencing have been installed around the park's perimeter. The cenotaph and bandstand have been cleaned up and repaired. The parking area by the museum has been extended. The memorial garden has been tidied and replanted but this happens every year. The fountain has not been re-installed. Facilities including the new watersplash have been installed or improved.
An eco-friendly garden building leading to the walled garden has been built. This is intended to provide space for education, relaxation and toilets. Hurrah! Work started in late October 2008 and was expected to open summer 2009. In April 2010 it is far from finished. I was told that the contractors had gone into liquidation so we shall have to wait and see. In 2011 I have not been up to survey the situation - Yet! I've checked the RMBC website in April 2011 but can find no up to date information. According to the Advertiser in late April 2011 The Garden House and Walled Garden has now been opened.
Facilities
- New fountain pool within the Memorial Garden 2011.
- Garden house and Walled Garden Open April 2011.
- Watersplash - this was opened in 2009 and immediately the subject of complaints that the tiled area was slippery when wet and was causing accidents. It seems to have re-opened in time for the school holidays 2010. The old paddling pool was open only for about eight weeks of the year, so I reckon the water feature will be an installation that will only be open for brief periods each summer. It cost an inordinate amount of money to build and a lot more to put to rights. For something that is open for a few brief weeks each year it seems a ridiculous waste of brass. RMBC's website in 2011 says the Clifton Park Waterplay Area is now open daily from 10am - 4pm (weather dependant).
- Bowling greens.
- Tennis courts.
- Petanque court.
- Chessboard.
- Mini Golf.
- Skatepark.
- Large children's play area with slides, swings and climbing frames.
- Children's Amusements. Privately run pay and play with train, trampolines, slide, roller coaster. The amusements can be booked for school trips Tel. Philip Wheatley and Sons 07968 966407.
- Public Toilets with changing facilities by the watersplash. I did not check up on their opening hours.
- Kiosk for ice creams etc. There are a couple of tables to sit out and it was very busy when I visited.
- Car Parking off Clifton Lane by the Museum and off Doncaster Road near the children's play area. Parking charges.
Friends of Clifton Park
The aims and objectives of the Friends of Clifton Park include working towards the restoration and, management and maintenance of the park improvement of the facilities and promoting safe use of the park.