East Park, Wolverhampton facts for kids

East Park is a lovely park located in Wolverhampton, England. It's a popular spot for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor activities and relax. The park is easy to get to from the city centre, making it a great place for a day out. Its name is also used for the East Park area, which includes the Monmore Green and Deansfield neighbourhoods.

A Look Back at East Park's History

East Park first started being built in 1892. The land, about 18 hectares (which is like 44 football fields!), was kindly given by the Duke of Sutherland, Sir Alfred Hickman, and Mr. Arther Sparrow. The park officially opened its gates to the public on September 21, 1896.

The Boating Lake That Vanished

When the park was first designed by Thomas Mawson, it was supposed to have a beautiful boating lake. However, there was a big problem! Old coal mines that used to be under the park kept draining the water away from the lake. Even though people tried hard to save it, the lake was eventually filled in with grass in 1922. This area later became part of a children's playground and a sports pitch. In 2013, it was turned into a car park.

Cool Features of East Park

East Park has several interesting features that make it special.

The Lysaght Memorial Clock Tower

One of the park's landmarks is The Lysaght Memorial Clock Tower. For a long time, this clock tower hasn't been working. However, there have been talks and even work started in 2013 to fix it up, so hopefully, it will tell the time again soon!

The Historic Bandstand

The park also has a small bandstand. This bandstand was paid for with money raised from a flower festival many years ago. Sadly, it has been neglected and damaged over the years. Even though it can be repaired, it's currently considered "at risk."

Fun Activities and Facilities

Today, East Park offers lots of things to do! You can find football pitches, tennis courts, and fun children's playgrounds. There's also a cycle speedway for bike enthusiasts and outdoor fitness equipment. If you prefer a quieter time, you can enjoy the lovely gardens, walkways, and colourful flower beds.

The Wolvestock4life Festival

Once a year, East Park becomes home to the exciting Wolvestock4life festival. This festival has been held at the park for over ten years and attracts more than 4,000 people every year! It's been running for 14 years and used to be the largest free festival in the United Kingdom. However, since 2013, there has been a charge to enter.

Exciting Park Improvements

Good news for East Park! In December 2011, the park received a big grant of £981,000 from the Lottery. This money is being used to make sure the old coal mines under the park are stable and to fix up many of the park's facilities, including the clock tower. These improvements will help make East Park even better for everyone to enjoy!