A Brief History of the Park

Norfolk Park - known today as Norfolk Heritage Park - was one of the first free public parks in the country. The laying out of the Park commenced in 1841, and it was opened in 1848.

 

The overall landscape character of Norfolk Heritage Park is that of a traditional country estate, consisting of extensive rolling grassland with structural tree planting to frame vistas.  The general layout of the park was based around a circular 4m wide carriageway linked to the main entrances by tree-lined avenues. The avenue to Granville Road is of Turkey Oaks and the avenue to Norfolk Park Road is of Lime trees.

 

The original park boundary is listed as Grade 2 on English Heritage’s Resister of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest. The park contains 5 Grade ll listed buildings / structures of architectural or historical interest

 

Some key dates in the Park's history:

 

Norfolk Park opened free to the public

 

Stone screen and entrance gates at Granville Road erected.

 

Queen Victoria visited the park in her Jubilee year where she heard 50,000 schoolchildren sing in her honour. The 15^th Duke of Norfolk was also the Lord Mayor during this year.

 

 

Ornamental iron lamp moved to Granville Road entrance

 

Norfolk Park was given as a gift from the Duke of Norfolk to the City of Sheffield and a new Refreshment Pavilion was opened (built to commemorate the gift of the park to the City of Sheffield)

 

Bowling greens and tennis courts constructed in the park

 

Construction of the children’s playground

 

Jervis Lum woodland acquired by compulsory purchase from the Duke of Norfolk and added to the park.

 

A flat public events area and football pitches was created by tippings from slum clearance.

 

The park entered a period of decline.

 

Norfolk Park added to the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens (Grade ll)

 

The ‘Friends of Norfolk Park’ group established. Norfolk Park becomes more commonly known as Norfolk Heritage Park reflecting its heritage and cultural significance. 

 

Derelict café (Refreshment Pavilion) in the park seriously damaged in an arson attack and subsequently demolished.

 

Succesful Heritage Lottery Fund bid submitted to restore the park.

 

Physical restoration work starts in the park

 

New playgrounds opened (May)

The "Centre in the Park" is opened to the public (November)

 

New sports pavilion opened (October)

 

Park achieves its first national parks quality standard management Green Flag Award

 

A Norfolk Heritage Park Manager appointed to oversee the future management of the park.