Category Archives: History

The cascade area is just below the Richardson Street entrance at the side of the cafe. This was to be a rock garden with water cascading into a pool. Joseph Rowntree said it “Symbolised Life’. Betty Metcalfe recalls that originally it was a grass slope. There was a horse show shaped bed filled with redContinue reading “Cascade Rowntree Park”

The original play park in Rowntree Park was not where it is located now. Looking from the cafe, it was far back toward Terry Avenue gates and on the left – nearer the location of the table tennis tables. There were play park attendants to promote ‘proper play’! The original park had a very largeContinue reading “History of play areas at Rowntree Park”

The bandstand was a key feature of the original Rowntree Park. In the park’s early days the bandstand was just past the lychgate/dovecot (after you walk through from the cafe). The conductor of the Rowntree Band in 1921 was G E Lickley. The brass band would play many weekends and there was seating for peopleContinue reading “Bandstand Rowntree Park”

The Friends of Rowntree Park was formed in 1993. This group was a voluntary group of local people who’s original aim was to commemorate the park as a war memorial, preserve the character of the park, promote it’s sympathetic use by the people of york, support long term maintenance and development. All this was toContinue reading “History of the Friends of Rowntree Park”

By the late 1990s, the park was starting to look somewhat unloved and many of the original features had either gone or were in need of work. After some research into the historical nature and landscape of the park, a submission was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Urban Parks project to fund the restoration.Continue reading “Restoration of Rowntree Park 2000”

Paddling Pool in Rowntree Park The original wading pool was not very deep and had a sandy beach. There was a horseshoe canopy that surrounded it, that was where often families sat and watched their children. The water was constantly changed, which was facilitated by a wind pump and the overflow fed into the lake.Continue reading “Paddling and Iceskating in Rowntree Park”

During WW2 the government encouraged people to stay at home and have ‘holidays at home’. The park became a central focus for many people in the area. It hosted 40 concert parties, dances and brass bands played live. There were talent spotting competitions, sheepdog shows, donkey rides, Punch and Judy, puppet shows, model railway linesContinue reading “Social History of Rowntree Park”

We don’t have much information about sport in Rowntree Park in our archives, so would love to hear more from people with stories, information and/or images to share. Joseph Rowntree originally wanted outdoor activities in Rowntree Park to improve health by exercise but sport that could be watched in seats. It was originally planned toContinue reading “Sport in Rowntree Park”

Rowntree Park over the years If you look at Rowntree Park from above, you will see the symmetry. The gardens were inspired by Scarborough gardens where Joseph Rowntree spent time. In the early days of the park, a lot of time and investment was put into the upkeep. In addition to the resident park keeper,Continue reading “Rowntree Park Gardens”

Park Keepers Park Keepers in Rowntree Park are firm characters in many people’s memories. Especially the infamous “Parkie Bell”, the first park keeper. The information here is from a mix from our archives, the book ‘Walk in the park’ by Christine and John Dowell, and also snippets passed on by the general public and TheContinue reading “Rowntree Park – Park Keepers”