Alexandra Park, Hastings on:
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Alexandra Park is a public
/ref> The park grew in a series of increments and now occupies approximately of the town. Its linear area stretches from the town centre out to residential areas. It was formally opened by the
The park features several small water reservoirs that provide popular locations for leisure fishing within the town. The lower area of the park has several public facilities including a lake, war memorial, bowls green, information point, toilets, café, events areas, bandstand and adventure playground. There is a water thoroughfare all around the park linking the reservoirs. There is a gauge miniature railway at the northern end of the park.
Park information, including history of the parkInformation on the cafe
Hastings Parks and open spaces in East Sussex 7¼ in gauge railways in England
park
A park is an area of natural, semi-natural or planted space set aside for human enjoyment and recreation or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. Urban parks are urban green space, green spaces set aside for recreation inside t ...
located in Hastings
Hastings ( ) is a seaside town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in East Sussex on the south coast of England,
east of Lewes and south east of London. The town gives its name to the Battle of Hastings, which took place to th ...
, East Sussex
East Sussex is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Kent to the north-east, West Sussex to the west, Surrey to the north-west, and the English Channel to the south. The largest settlement ...
in England. Originally named St Andrews Gardens at its opening in 1864, it was then redesigned by Robert Marnock during 1877.Hastings History Wiki/ref> The park grew in a series of increments and now occupies approximately of the town. Its linear area stretches from the town centre out to residential areas. It was formally opened by the
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...
and Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales (; ) is a title used since the 14th century by the wife of the Prince of Wales. The Princess is the apparent future queen consort, as "Prince of Wales" is a title reserved by custom for the heir apparent to the Monarchy of the ...
on 26 June 1882, and named after the latter.
During 1998, much of the lower portion of the park was closed and given to an ambitious storm drain project by Southern Water, which also involved tunnelling in several other areas throughout the town. At the close of the project, the park's lawns and entrances were returned to their original state as designed by Marnock.
In April 2004, the park was officially reopened by Charlie Dimmock and the Mayor of Hastings after a large regeneration scheme costing £3.46m. Initial surveys suggest that park visitor numbers have dramatically increased since the completion of the scheme. The whole park is grade II listed
Wildlife
The park fauna consists ofgrey squirrels Gray squirrel or grey squirrel may refer to several species of squirrel indigenous to North America:
*The eastern gray squirrel (''Sciurus carolinensis''), from the eastern United States and southeastern Canada; introduced into the United Kingdom, ...
, Canada geese
The Canada goose (''Branta canadensis''), sometimes called Canadian goose, is a large species of goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North ...
and mallard ducks as well as an array of different bird life.
Facilities
The park features several small water reservoirs that provide popular locations for leisure fishing within the town. The lower area of the park has several public facilities including a lake, war memorial, bowls green, information point, toilets, café, events areas, bandstand and adventure playground. There is a water thoroughfare all around the park linking the reservoirs. There is a gauge miniature railway at the northern end of the park.
Events
The park used to host the annual Hastings Beer and Music Festival, which takes place in July, but now takes place on The Oval showground. In addition, the open airbandstand
A bandstand (sometimes music kiosk) is a circular, semicircular or polygonal structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts. A simple construction, it both creates an ornamen ...
is used for various band concerts throughout the summer months.
Further up the park there is a Chalybeate
Chalybeate () waters, also known as Iron oxide, ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.
Name
The word ''chalybeate'' is derived from the Latin word for steel, , which follows from the Ancient Greek, Greek word ...
Spring.
References
{{ReflistExternal links
Park information, including history of the park
Hastings Parks and open spaces in East Sussex 7¼ in gauge railways in England