5th March, 2019, History of Hull’s Public Parks 8.

The picture above is taken from One Hundred and Twenty-One Views of Hull and District c.1910 (s.p.b.s) and shows the ‘Mound, East Park’. This feature was almost certainly not natural but a result of the top-soil dug out to create the large serpentine lake. It seems to have been made into a sort of playground and viewing area with ornate flower beds below. A mound still exists south-west of the lake, this presumably the same feature today.

In the early days of East Park Corporation Farm (s.p.b.) remained part of the site. In February 1889 it was recorded that ‘upon the building plots being sold (s.p.b.) a greenhouse could be moved near to the farm buildings’. Later that year there was a reference to the annual rental for ‘house, outbuildings, greenhouse and garden at East Park’.

A minute of November 1889 reflects the differing attitudes to ecology then and now in stating that the newts in East Park pond were to be destroyed.

Today’s lake at East Park is very large and remains a principal feature of the Park and its facilities. Originally there may have been more than one water body as in 1890 it was agreed that a boathouse be built for the East Hull Model Yacht Club beside the ‘Yacht pond’ (a mention about early model boat clubs in public parks was made in one of the History of Public Parks blogs).

That same year the ‘refreshment pavilion’ at East Park was tenanted.

Supporting evidence for some of the features mentioned in the Minutes could be got by cross-referencing with the early detailed Ordnance Survey maps, in particular the 6 inch and 25 inch (first edition). As I have been focusing on wading through the various committee Minutes this is a task I have yet to do.

(to be continued).