LIFESTYLE-Magazine-Winter-2016

PARK LIFE

Peel Park a green flag park Overlooking the town of Accrington, Peel Park occupies an elevated position at the top of Avenue Parade. The land that today comprises Peel Park and the Coppice was acquired for recreational use by the Town Council of Accrington from the Peel family who originated fromPeel Fold, Oswaldtwistle and who are notable for Sir Robert Peel the Prime Minster and founder of the Police force. MrWilliamPeel officially opened the park on 29 September, 1909. There are a number of access points to the wider countryside known as the Coppice. The Coppice is excellent for brisk, variable terrain walks. A number of small forestry planting projects in recent years have added greater interest to the site and in turn a greater diversity in animal species to the area. Features/Facilities: • The formal area of Peel • Children's play area • Bowling green • Tennis court • Bowls pavilion • Multi-use games area catering for basketball, football and cricket • Dog waste bins The wider area: • Mature woodland • Orienteering course • Informal nature study • The grounds of what was Arden Hall and the footprint of the old hall • The footprint of Plantation Mill • The top of the Coppice • Amonument to commemorate the gi of land by the Peel Family on the summit • An extensive area of heathland Fascinating Facts: 1. The Accrington Pals baalion, were reputed to have trained on the Coppice in rough ground to the northeast of the memorial before going to fight in the FirstWorld War in 1916. 2. At trig point the park is 254 metres above sea level. 3. Blackpool Tower is visible on a clear day from the summit. Mercer Park a green flag park Formerly the grounds of Mercer House; an imposing building that occupies a central position within the park. This is one of the only parks in the Borough which occupies a flat site making it easily accessible for people with disabilities. Six entrances serve the park. Mercer House took its name from its most notable occupant John Mercer (1891-1866) who became famous as the father of textile chemistry. Among many achievements he is most remembered for developing a process for the treatment of coon fabric which was to become known as Mercerisation. Features/Facilities: • Car parking for disabled users only • Children's playground • Halfpipe • Multi-use games area • Youth shelter • Sensory garden • 1 bowling green which is freely available for use by residents of Hyndburn • War memorial • Mercer House (authorised use only) • Mature woodland • Shrub beds • Herbaceous borders • Heather bed • Coming soon - Outdoor gym Fascinating Fact: A scheme is available for groups and individuals to help the community and contribute to the development of the park.

Cutwood Park a green flag park Cutwood, the youngest of Hyndburn’s parks, occupies a 9 hectares, roughly square site in the angle of Blackburn Road and Cut Lane, Rishton, abuing Rishton Reservoir. The main entrance is at the corner of Blackburn Road and Cut Lane. The park is mainly flat and is crisscrossed by an adequate network of footpaths, thus offering potential for disabled visitors. The park adjoins a reservoir, which is unique amongst Hyndburn's parks. The land occupied by Cutwood was acquired from the Dunkenhalgh Estate and conveyed to the Urban District of Rishton for use as a public park as a gi to local people in memory of Captain Charles Bernard Petre (1870-1949) by his son, Captain Robert Petre and the trustees of the Dunkenhalgh Estate in 1953. Features/Facilities: • Children's playground suitable for ages 4 to 12 years, in two separate areas for toddlers and juniors • Floral displays at the entrance • Senior football pitch • Mature woodland • Views across Rishton reservoir • Dog waste bins • Opportunity for informal nature study • Measured, marked walks with activities Fascinating Facts: 1. A woodpecker is suspected to live in the park. Listen out for it ‘drumming’ in spring. 2. Tree trunks, fallen branches and logs are oen lewithin the woodland, this encourages fungus and insects which in turn are food for other animals, this practice helps to increase the woodlands bio-diversity.

From top: Oakhill Park, Peel Park and Mercer Park.

For more information go to www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/parks

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