History of the Park

History of Page Park

In the year 1910, the park was given to the inhabitants of Staple Hill by Alderman Arthur William Page (possibly Staple Hill’s greatest benefactor.) He represented the Parish of Mangotsfield on the Gloucestershire City Council, he was a solicitor, a J.P and he was elected Alderman of the county of Gloucestershire in 1910.

Nineteen acres of land (originally part of the Hill House estate) was given and made into a park for the people of the area and an official opening ceremony took place on December 14th 1910. Representatives of the county council were present as well as local vicars and a large number of local residents. Led by the Downend band, the children from the local schools marched to the park waving flags and were then presented with a new sixpence by Alderman Page. The National Anthem was also sung and an oak sapling was planted in commemoration of the day. When the park was opened it had, and still has today, a pavilion in the centre with an eight day, four dialled striking clock in the turret.

The year after the opening saw park seats being donated and in 1912 a drinking fountain was provided by public subscription as a testimonial to Alderman Page.

In 1923 Alderman Page provided boys and girls public conveniences, a further 6 seats were donated in 1924 which was followed by a band stand in 1927.

Tennis courts were provided by Page Institute Ladies Committee in 1929 followed by the erection of a tennis pavilion the year after.

Memorial gates were hung at the Broad Street/Park road entrance in 1931, twelve additional seats were provided in 1935 and a Childrens sand pit was constructed in 1942. A putting green was constructed as part of the “Holiday at Home” attraction in 1945 and during World War II Queen Mary visited the park.

1948 saw the official opening of the bowling green and pavilion and the hard tennis courts were resurfaced in 1954. A Golden Jubilee commemoration took place in 1960.

A very important feature in the park is the War memorial in the form of a stone needle with a three stepped granite base. The granite cenotaph has cast bronze plaques on each face of the square plinth and bronze castings of a wreath containing crossed flags. This commemorates 171 local people who died in World War I and 56 in World War II. On Remembrance Day each year several hundred people gather at the cenotaph to attend a Remembrance Service.

A very special modern feature in the park is the sensory garden formed by the Friends of Page Park. This group are passionate about the park and meet regularly raising funds for projects such as the sensory garden. This was opened formally on Saturday 20th August 2005 by Roger Berry MP and the special garden is designed for those with a disability.

The raised flower beds can be tended by wheelchair users and all the paths are wheelchair friendly. The plants, shrubs and herbs were chosen to stimulate the different senses and the new aviary was built in 2005 in the sensory garden. Prior to this an aviary was situated next to the shrub bed near the toilets and the care of the birds was questioned by Mrs Jean Egan, who was concerned for their welfare. She and her husband Mike volunteered to look after the birds which they did for many years together. Sadly Jean has passed away and the new aviary is dedicated to her memory and her hard work caring for the birds. Mike Egan now cares for about 130 birds consisting of zebra finches, budgerigars, Bengalese finches and canaries, in equal proportion.

South Gloucestershire Council continue to maintain Page Park currently providing sports facilities, a play area, dog walking facilities, the sensory garden, the cenotaph, formal lawns and gardens, a clock tower, and provision for a playgroup.

In 2008 a management plan was adopted by South Gloucestershire Council to ensure that the facilities will continue to see improvements each year to meet the needs of the local people.