Place    From 5/11/1887 

Queen's Park

Categories: Gardens / Agriculture

An information board in the Park gives "The area that is now Queen's Park was part of the site of the 1879 Royal Kilburn Agricultural Show, which had been attended by Queen Victoria, after which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners gave up the 30-acre site for the free use and enjoyment of the public' and so the City of London Corporation acquired the land in 1886. William Ward made a bequest, towards development of a public park, which was 'to be applied and expended in the erection and maintaining of some institution and the creation of some fund for the benefit of the poorer classes.' Major Alexander McKenzie, the second Superintendent of Epping Forest, laid out the site, which was originally called Kilburn Recreation Ground, but an application was made to Queen Victoria who then gave her permission for the name to be changed to Queen's Park in honour of her Golden Jubilee. the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Reginal {sic} Hanson, officially opened Queen's Park on the 5th November 1887."

More information at Queen's Park History. It's a rather complicated story but London Gardens Online made us understand that the City of London had to accept both Queen's Park and Highgate Wood, or lose both. Queen's Park was going to be more expensive to maintain and it was the funds from William Ward's will that made the double acquisition possible.

The park was laid out by Alexander McKenzie, and opened in 1887, serving the newly developed area around. The Park is managed by the City of London. The bandstand has been there from the start.

The 2013 Queen's Park Conservation Management Plan may be of interest, though the historical appendix is missing.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Queen's Park

Commemorated ati

Bandstand - Queen's Park

Queen's Park Centenary 1887 - 1987

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Other Subjects

Rita Ferguson

Rita Ferguson

We think Ferguson lived locally and was involved in the community at the Grove Estate, possibly in a role for the Hyde Housing Association.

Person, Children, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Friends of Friary Park

Friends of Friary Park

From their website: "The Friends of Friary Park was formed in 1990 as the result of local discontent with the deteriorating condition of the Park. More than 200 people attended the inaugural meetin...

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Israel Renson

Israel Renson

The National Archives describe Renson as 'chemist and local historian" and give four paragraphs of his life story. In brief: of Russian descent, born in Scarborough Street E1, but in 1910 the famil...

Person, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Sir Reginald Blomfield

Sir Reginald Blomfield

Architect, garden designer and author. Born Devon. Followed his uncle, Sir Arthur Blomfield, into architecture. Buildings include: United University Club (1906), south-east corner of Suffolk Stree...

Person, Architecture, Gardens / Agriculture

6 memorials
Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl Meath, KP

Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl Meath, KP

Born near Belgrave Square. The Earl of Meath was actively engaged in social and philanthropic work. He was the first chairman of the Young Men's Friendly Society, first President of the British Col...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial