Introduction
South Park is a neighbourhood park devolved from meadowland designed by Bunyards of Maidstone in 1929. Features include tennis courts, bowling and putting greens, football and hockey pitches, a pond and a tree belt. In 2007 the tennis courts were refurbished and restored.
The peripheral belt of trees shelters many flowering trees and shrubs. A fine specimen Catalpa bignonoides (Indian bean tree), the rose garden and the avenue of rambler roses are in flower in July. The ornamental urn in the lily pond (which may have come from Preston Hall) is a copy of a Roman urn in the Vatican Museum.
The ground south of Armstrong Road was bought and donated to Maidstone for sports pitches in order to restrict the spread of quarrying.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01622 602000Access contact details
This is a municipal site for general public use. Pleas see: http://www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=615
Owners
Maidstone Borough Council
King Street, Maidstone, ME15 6JQOther Websites
- History
South Park Recreation Ground is a pleasant neighbourhood park developed from meadowland and designed by Bunyards of Maidstone in 1929.
Period
- 20th Century (1901 to 2000)
- Early 20th Century (1901 to 1932)
- Features & Designations
Features
- Pond
- Tree Belt
- Bowling Green
- Pavilion
- Specimen Tree
- Description: Catalpa bignonoides (Indian bean tree).
- Rose Garden
- Planting
- Description: There is an avenue of rambler roses.
- Urn
- Description: The ornamental urn in the lily pond (which may have come from Preston Hall) is a copy of a Roman urn in the Vatican Museum.
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Recreational/sport
Principal Building
Parks, Gardens And Urban Spaces
Period
20th Century (1901 to 2000)
Survival
Extant
Open to the public
Yes
- References
References
- Kent Gardens Trust {A Presentation of Parks: A survey of amenity parks and gardens in Kent} (Kent Gardens Trust) 18 A Presentation of Parks: A survey of amenity parks and gardens in Kent