A good example of a late 19th century public park, which retains much of its original design and character.
Preston Park CA
LLHA0169
Alderman John George Blaker gifted the ground to Brighton in 1893, ‘for the free use and enjoyment of the inhabitants and visitors of Brighton for the purposes of recreation’ (Burgundy Book of the Corporation of Brighton manual for 1894/5). Following the work required to set the ground out as a park, it was opened by the mayor on 3 November 1894. The design comprised a winding ‘figure of eight’ path, forming a large loop to the north of the park and a smaller loop to the south, both with perimeter planting. A further grassed area with planting to the boundary was set to the south. A clock tower was added in 1896 (separately assessed). Tennis courts were inserted into the lower (southern) half of the park by the 1930s. The lower of these has now been changed into a children’s play area. There are long views south across the park to the city centre. Source: Carder 1990, http://www.blakerspark.org.uk/content/category/about-blakers-park
ii A good example of a late 19th century public park, which retains much of its original design and character. It retains its original clocktower (assessed separately)
i Within the Preston Park Conservation Area, it forms one of the only parks in the area and is a welcome respite from the built urban form. It is thus atypical of the conservation area
i Although the tennis courts have been modernised and a play area inserted, these respect the historic design. The northern area retains its character and design intact.
2015
