Barking Park, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in East London, is a park covering just under 30 hectares to the east of Barking town centre. It lies north of Longbridge Road, and is near the boundary with Loxford. The park was the first council controlled park in the Borough and was first established as a classic Victorian park in 1896. According to the newly restored commemorative plaque by the main gates in Longbridge Road, it was officially opened on April 9th 1898 by Councillor C L Beard J.P., Chairman of Barking Town Urban District Council.
Its most significant feature is a long linear lake on the north side of the park, which is used for boating. Rowing boats were introduced first and then on April 1, 1953 motor boats and a Mississippi style paddle steamer called "Phoenix II" made their debut. The paddle steamer continued to operate on the lake until 1967.
Other facilities include tennis courts, a children's play area, 2 bowling greens (indoor and outdoor), a playground, football pitches and a flower garden. A lido was built in 1931 but this too was closed permanently in 1988. There is also skating park.
The park contains the war memorial for men of the Barking Town Urban District who fell in World War I. Every year on Remembrance Day (Usually the 2nd Sunday in November) a commemorative ceremony is held at the war memorial preceded by music from a local marching band.
The council has received stage one funding to develop a proposal from restoration of the park, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, in 2006.
Barking Park Light Railway
Barking Park Light Railway, which provided passenger transport as a means of entertainment, opened in the early 1950's, in a gauge of 9 1/2 inches and originally consised of three coaches hauled by a steam locomotive named ‘The Empress’. This was replaced by a sit-in diesel locomotive named ‘Little Nan', trains running between the main park entrance at Longbridge Road, up to a turntable at the boating lake.
About half way along its journey, ‘Little Nan' went through a gated level crossing. When the train was not running, the level crossing afforded access to the park from the adjacent Park Avenue but this side entrance has now been permanently closed. The railway ran until 2005 when it was closed by the owner who felt that it was no longer cost effective to maintain and repair the train.
It has however since been re-developed by a father & son team who bought the line from the previous owner. It now includes new trains / track 7 1/4 inch and new wheelchair friendly station access. The new train service ran a few times during 2008 but the official grand re-opening took place at Easter in 2009. The previous level crossing was removed.
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Sources
- The Boroughs parks and open spaces LB Barking and Dagenham, Local studies info sheet #6
http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/barking-park/
External links
- Barking and Dagenham Council - Barking Park
- Barking Park Light Railway
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