The Recreation Ground opened in 1891. It was the first public open space in Hove, and was provided primarily for children.
No CA
LLHA0151
The Recreation Ground opened in 1891. It was the first public open space in Hove, and was provided primarily for children. Previously the land had formed part of the Stanford Estate and was used as a market garden. Town surveyor H.H. Scott had produced plans for the space to include an artificial lake, but these were simplified on cost grounds. Instead, the design involved a central planted roundel, accessed via four pathways with a further perimeter path around the park. The grassed areas were re-seeded to provide sports grounds and trees were planted to the edge, including avenues along the perimeter paths. A dwarf boundary wall was constructed to the south side, with cast iron railings. The paths are lined by flints. The central pavilion was added in 1892, to the designs of H.H. Scott. It has an elongated octagonal plan form, with red brick base, oak super-structure and hipped roof with gablets and bracketed eaves (originally with tile-covering). The cottage was added in 1895, again to H.H.Scott’s designs. Brick-built with a hipped tiled roof, it contained a ladies w.c. and attendant’s room (there were urinals to the other three corners of the park). The cottage now has permission for conversion to a café. The prominent brick and terracotta gate piers match those to St Ann’s Well Garden. Those in St Ann’s Well Garden were erected in 1908; it is therefore likely those at the Recreation Ground were erected around the same time. Source: Middleton 2002, Trees of Hove.
ii Despite some alteration, elements of the original design remain, including the perimeter paths and planting, as well as historic structures associated with the recreation ground’s use.
v The pavilion and gate piers retain particular aesthetic interest as late 19th century/early 20th century park structures
ii The gate piers are particularly prominent in the streetscene alongside the mature vegetation to the boundaries. Not within a conservation area, the park and its structures as a group contribute positively to the area.
i There have been alterations to the original design, including the loss of some of the paths and erection of new buildings. However, parts of the original design have survived as well as mature planting. The survival of historic structures as well as the historic space is significant
2015 (recreation ground structures pre-2015)
