Corporation Park

Corporation Park (18 ha) is a traditional Victorian park close to the centre of Blackburn.

A brief history

Take a journey back in time by visiting the Cotton Town web site.  Gate House at Corporation Park 

On it there is a wealth of old maps, manuscripts, photos, books, pamphlets and posters illustrating some of Blackburn and Darwen’s fascinating history.  Click Cotton Town

On the land where the park now stands there used to be a quarry called Park Delph. 

The rock is millstone grit - extremely good for building.  During the early to mid nineteenth century, it was used for building the majority of the cotton mills and churches in Blackburn.

The land was acquired from Joseph Feilden, who declined to sell it to any private individual but reserved it for the public. 

An agreement was made by which an area of fifty acres was sold to the corporation for £65 per acre, the council having to make roads on either side as a condition of the contract (East and West Park Roads).

The opening

The park was laid out by William Henderson and opened in 1857, creating a sensation in the town and also further afield. 

Blackburn was deserted as the Mayor led the procession from the town hall to the park to the official opening.

Shops were closed at noon and manufactures let loose their thousands of employees so that they could participate.  The park was surrounded by thousands and the paths within the park were crowded.  The Sebastopol trophies boomed thunders of welcome to over 60,000 attendees, 14,000 of which had arrived by train.

The park is now registered by English Heritage as a Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest.

To help with the development and maintenance of Corporation Park the council has developed a long term management plan especially for the park.  If you wish to read the plan please click here.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has developed their first open space strategy. At the launch of the document, Councillor Khan said that open spaces contribute to the physical and mental health of the community, reduce crime and the fear of crime and develop cohesive communities. If you would like to read the document please click here

Awards

Green Flag
Corporation park has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award status. The Green Flag Award scheme, is the national standard for parks and green spaces. Green Flag award 

Winners vary from Victorian parks and town centre gardens to nature reserves, country parks and cemeteries.

Sites must be judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained with the strong involvement of the local community.

To help with the development and maintenance of the Park the council has developed a long term management plan. If you wish to read the Plan please click here