ABOUT THE PARK

Set in picturesque surroundings, Ightenhill Park is a hub for community life. Popular with dog walkers, joggers, children, school pupils and other social groups, its appeal is all encompassing.

Sprawling over a nine-and-a-half acre site, this aesthetically-pleasing park consists of three sections intersected by two roads.

The upper area’s focal point is the soon to be refurbished children’s playground. The enclosed play facility provides greater security for parents supervising their children, and the more physically-challenging pieces of equipment keep the older youngsters entertained.

Well-kept formal lawns, rose beds and shrubs encircle the playground, with the meandering paths enabling walkers to take pleasant strolls around the grounds.

The middle portion boasts the original wrought iron railings, which date back almost a century. Enclosed within is the now privately-owned former lodge house, two bowling greens, the park’s depot and two bowls pavilions with toilet facilities.

Impressive redevelopment has completely transformed the lower section. A total of £71,000 was spent building two new tennis courts and a multi-purpose ball court area. Discussions are currently underway on how best to utilise vacant land, and proposals under consideration include an outdoor gym, wild flower garden.

Ightenhill Park hosts a series of successful events throughout the year. These include bowls drives, environmental awareness events, orienteering, dog shows, children’s fun days and the Ightenhill Festival. A devoted The Friends of Ightenhill Park group is actively involved in ensuring the park flourishes and is maintained for the whole community to enjoy.


HISTORY OF THE PARK

On June 25, 1912, the Mayoress of Burnley Mrs Elijah Keighley was presented with a gold key to officially open the gates of Ightenhill Park for the very first time.

Then the park was smaller than it is today, comprising of just the upper section after Lord Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe donated former grazing land to Burnley Corporation in 1908.

The park contained a bandstand, small shelter, rose and shrub beds and ornamental gardens. It was enclosed by grand wrought iron railings, which were later removed as part of the war effort.

The park was designed by Burnley Borough Council engineer G H Pickles and parks’ superintendent Robert Murray.

In 1912, the council bought additional land north of Ightenhill Park Lane, and the park expanded when the bowling greens were opened a year later.

The lower section of the park was originally a private tennis club, which was founded in 1887. But in 1926, it was acquired by the council and the grass courts were replaced with clay. Housed on the site was a small pavilion, toilets and grandstand seating area, which have now been removed.

Two greenhouses, where bedding plants were grown and later planted in the park, were located in this area but dismantled in the 1980s after becoming derelict.


OUR VISION

The friends of the park and Burnley Borough Council’s are working together to ensure Ightenhill Park continues to be dynamic and sustainable, meeting the needs of the community.

Through continuous improvements, the park will help contribute to the development of Burnley as an attractive and prosperous market town.


THE FRIENDS OF IGHTENHILL PARK

The Friends of Ightenhill Park (FOIP) play a key role in its management and development.

Members hold regular meetings to discuss issues and suggest ideas on how to improve the park.

Formed in 2004 by residents whose houses overlook the park, members have secured funding for a number of improvements.

These include:

   • New notice boards
   • New seating
   • Raising funds for the development of the tennis courts
   • Tree, shrub and bulb planting
   • Organising successful children’s fun days and festivals
   • Community clean-ups in the park and surrounding area.