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Albert Park
"A public park designed by William Barratt of Wakefield and opened 11th August 1868, with war memorial entrance screen walls and a cenotaph of 1922...The idea of creating a public park in Middlesbrough was raised in the Borough Council in 1859, but no immediate action was taken. In 1864, a local industrialist, Henry Bolckow, bought land off Linthorpe Road and presented it to the Council for use as a public park. An agreement drawn up between Bolckow and the Council in 1865 specified that the park should be called Albert Park and that £3000 should be spent on laying it out. Work commenced in 1865 to a design by William Barratt, using trees and shrubs from his nursery in Wakefield. A plan of the park design of 1868 shows the proposals and a plan of 1875 probably reflects the executed layout..." (Source: Historic England)
Albert Park is an open access, free public park, located in Middlesbrough, in the borough of Middlesbrough and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England.
The park has been granted the Green Flag Award by the Civic Trust.
History
The town's first mayor and MP, Henry Bolckow, first proposed the idea of a public park for the residents of Middlesbrough, dubbed the 'People's Park' in its conception.
Bolckow was particularly conscious of the need to provide a "green lung" to ease the plight of the burgeoning industrial population of a town which was granted its charter of incorporation in 1853.
In 1864, Bolckow bought land off Linthorpe Road and presented it to Middlesbrough Borough Council for use as a public park. An agreement drawn up between Bolckow and the Council in 1865 specified that the park should be called Albert Park and that £3000 should be spent on laying it out. Work commenced in 1865 to a design by William Barratt, using trees and shrubs from his nursery in Wakefield.
Albert Park was officially opened by Prince Arthur of Connaught (seventh child of Queen Victoria) on 11 August 1868, the park being named after his father Prince Albert.
Less than ten years later, it was the site of the formation by players from Middlesbrough Amateur Cricket Club of the original Middlesbrough Football Club and, for two years (its exit hastened by damage inflicted upon the Park by players and supporters alike), the club's first ground.
Landmarks
Sculptures
A statue depicting sporting legend Brian Clough at the start of his football career was unveiled in the park on 16 May 2007.
The 7 ft-tall bronze figure, sculpted by Vivien Mallock, shows a 24-year-old Clough with his boots slung over his shoulder striding towards Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough's former ground, on his way to training.
Albert Park-Bolckow bust-900.jpg |Bust of Henry Bolckow (listed building)
Brian Clough statue.jpg |Statue of Brian Clough
Crystallisation sculpture, Albert Park.jpg |Crystallisation sculpture
The Horseman memorial, Albert Park.jpg |The Horseman memorial (Part of the Marton West Beck series)
Sundial
A grade II listed sundial, designed and constructed by John Smith of Stockton, was donated by H.W.F Bolckow in 1879.
The sundial allows people within the park itself to read the time in the UK, New York and Melbourne.
Central fountain
The central fountain in Albert Park, was originally presented by Joseph Pease in 1869.
It underwent substantial renovation and was switched back on Friday 2 April 2004.
Visit the page: Albert Park, Middlesbrough for references and further details. You can contribute to this article on Wikipedia.
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Charles Williams Middlesbrough Jubille Tree Plaque, Albert Park
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Henry Bolckow (1806-1878)
- Summary About Henry Bolckow Henry Bolckow, born 8th December 1806, is considered to be one of the founders of modern Middlesbrough. He was a successful industrialist, who founded the Bolckow …
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List Entry: Albert Park
- This garden or other land is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special …
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Linthorpe
- Summary History Map Linthorpe is a suburb of Middlesbrough. Originally it was a small rural hamlet, but became part of Middlesbrough, as the town grew rapidly in the late 19th …
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Middlesbrough, South African War Memorial, Albert Park
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![](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2480/3588357667_e742d2e0ee_z.jpg)
from Flickr (flickr)
Charles Williams Middlesbrough Jubille Tree Plaque, Albert Park
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3653/3589164846_710e0681e9_z.jpg)
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Middlesbrough, South African War Memorial, Albert Park
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![Henry Bolckow (1806-1878)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Portrait_of_Henry_Bolckow_1806-1878.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Henry Bolckow (1806-1878)
- Summary About Henry Bolckow Henry Bolckow, born 8th December 1806, is considered to be one of the founders of modern Middlesbrough. He was a successful industrialist, who founded the Bolckow …
![](/uploads/thumbs2/historic_england.png)
from http://list.historicengland.o…
List Entry: Albert Park
- This garden or other land is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
![Linthorpe](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8293546545_54488b3598_z.jpg)