People’s Park

A short stroll from Grimsby town centre is a late 19th century park, People’s Park. The 23-acre Victorian park is located within an area of substantial villa housing dating from 1890 to 1930. It features a double avenue of trees surrounding the park, a bandstand and a central lake with fountain.

The park also has two bowling greens and a croquet lawn along with a cafe, Coffee on the Park, serving hot and cold drinks, cakes and light snacks.

The park plays host to various music and family events during the summer months.

The history of People’s Park

The land for People’s Park was donated by Edward Heneage (then MP of Grimsby) in 1881. In 1882 the double avenue of trees around the park was planted. The park was designed in 1882 following a competition held and the winning design was ‘Semper Paratus’ submitted by William Barron and Sons of Elvaston Nurseries at Barrowash, Derbyshire.

The park was laid out in 1883 and this layout largely remains intact today with some minor modifications.

The Park was opened on 17 August 1883 by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught.

In 1884, entrance gates were erected to Park Drive. The gates included a plaque detailing the gift of the land by Heneage. The gates however were demolished as part of the war effort in 1943.

The park is of national significance as it is registered by English Heritage as a park of Special Historic Interest in England (II) in 2000. There is one listed structure within the park which is the Smethurst Memorial (Grade II) which was erected in 1894. Alderman Henry Smethurst, JP was mayor of Grimsby in 1885 and 1887. He was also chairman of the school board 1880-1889. He died in 1892

People’s Park is in the Wellow Conservation Area and makes an important contribution to the character of the conservation area.