What's at Valentines
Park?
Valentines Park is a much-loved local landmark, which is greatly
valued by borough residents for its beauty, history and ecology.
Situated near Ilford Town Centre, in a densely populated and highly
developed area, it is a vital green space, providing many
opportunities for formal and informal recreation and a chance to
escape the urban hustle and bustle and relax in a setting of rare
beauty and historic value.
Come along to our spectular Arts in the Parks
at Valentines Park this summer, Oddsocks will be performing Richard
III. on Sunday 28 June. As
wells as Eastbury Concert Band on Sunday 26
July and Timepiece Jazz on Sunday
16 August.
The park was once the parkland of Valentines Mansion, a gentleman’s residence
built in 1696. The landscape reflects the changing tastes of the
last three hundred years and the main elements surviving today
relate to the changes made to the Mansion itself in the 1720s, the
1810s and the 1870s. During all these periods, the house was in
private ownership. The greatest change was from 1912 when the whole
estate became a public park and began to be used by greater numbers
of people than ever before.
The heritage value is of great importance in
terms of the survival of formal Rococo features in a suburban park
near the Central tube line, the M11 and the main London to Norfolk
trunk road.
The park has benefited from a grant to improve
the children’s play facility and is very popular with families and
older children. Valentines Park has fantastic play facilities
with large areas for both younger and older children featuring some
new and exciting pieces of equipment, all made from wood. A
third unfenced site has also been created by the long water where
children were already playing – somewhat secluded and with a flying
carpet capable of entertaining children (and adults!) of all ages
and abilities, this is a great place to hang out. To find out more
about our programme of investment see new play areas.
We are currently is the process of applying
for Green Flag Status for Elmhurst
Gardens, a national standard for parks and open spaces in England
and Wales, which recognises and rewards the best green spaces in
the country. The Management
Plan (PDF 973 kb) is available to view online.
Valentines Park information