Greenhill Gardens, Weymouth facts for kids
Greenhill Gardens is a beautiful public park in Weymouth, Dorset, England. It's located right next to the town centre, gently sloping up from the beach. From the gardens, you can see amazing views of Weymouth's seafront and the whole bay. It's a lovely spot in the Greenhill area of Weymouth.
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History of Greenhill Gardens
The gardens were once part of a big estate called Wilton Estate. In 1902, they were given as a gift to the local council. The idea was for everyone in Weymouth to enjoy them.
Green Flag Award
Greenhill Gardens has won a special award called the Green Flag. This award shows that the gardens are one of the best green spaces in the country. To get this award, a park must be safe, clean, easy to get to, well-managed, and welcoming. The Green Flag Award is a national standard for parks in England and Wales. Greenhill Gardens has won this award many times, showing how well it is looked after.
Bennett's Shelter
In 1919, a shelter called Bennett's Shelter was built in the gardens. Mayor V H Bennett kindly donated it. The shelter has a strong upper wooden structure and a tiled roof. It still provides a nice place for visitors to rest and stay out of the weather today.
Schneider Trophy Weathervane
The Schneider Trophy weathervane is a special memorial in the gardens. It remembers Lieutenant George Stainforth, who used to be a student at Weymouth College. In 1931, he set a world record for air speed in a special seaplane. The weathervane was first given to Weymouth College in 1932. It was made of strong wood and covered in copper. It was moved to the gardens in 1952 for safety. After many years, it was fixed up in 1999 and still stands proudly.
Floral Clock and Wishing Well
In 1936, a beautiful floral clock was built. It even has a cuckoo chime! This clock was made by Ritchie & Sons from Edinburgh. It has become one of the most popular things to see in the gardens. Later, in the late 1980s, a wishing well was added. The Melcombe Regis Rotary Club donated it. Any money thrown into the well is collected and given to local charities.
Features of the Gardens
The gardens are full of bright flower beds and winding paths. There are also many places for people to relax and have fun.
Cafes and Food
You can find a few cafes within the gardens. The Greenhill Beach Cafe is at one end and has indoor and outdoor seating. The Seascape Cafe is at the entrance and has an outdoor terrace. There is also Pebbles Cafe, which is on top of some beach chalets nearby.
Sports and Games
Greenhill Gardens has lots of fun activities. There is an 18-hole putting green where you can play mini-golf. There are also four tennis courts. These are very popular with both local people and tourists in the summer. During the winter, you can use the tennis courts for free. There is also a bowling green and a special building for the Greenhill Bowling Club.
Friends of Greenhill Gardens
The Friends of Greenhill Gardens is a group that started in March 2007. Their main goal is to make the gardens even better. They helped the gardens win the Green Flag award. This group often holds different events in the gardens for everyone to enjoy.
Special Flower Beds
Each year, a large crescent-shaped flower bed is dedicated to a charity or group celebrating a special anniversary. Local gardeners plant thousands of tiny plants to create amazing designs. Sometimes, they even use coloured gravel to make the group's logo. In 2011, this special flower bed was dedicated to the Friends of Greenhill Gardens themselves. This was to thank them for all their hard work.
The Friends group has also helped create a special raised garden bed. This area has plants that are good for visitors who cannot see well. Also, some students from Weymouth College who have special needs have helped plant flowers near the Wishing Well.
Gallery
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Floral Clock
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Bowling Green
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Schneider Trophy Weathervane
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Flower design for 2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee
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Wishing Well
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Bennett's Shelter
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