Scott Park

About

Scott Park is a public park in Burnley, Lancashire. It covers 7.9 hectares (20 acres) and was opened in 1895. Located south of the town centre, attractions include tennis courts, a children's play area, a bandstand, and bowling greens.

In the second half of the nineteenth century Burnley's population increased almost five-fold and there was a pressing need for public open space so the council opted to provide recreation grounds with the first of these, Healey Heights located to the west of the park, acquired in 1872. The works provided employment for paupers and several more opened around the town in the following years which proved to be popular. The land that the park occupies was part of the estate of Hood House, which was documented as early as 1563 and was latterly owned by the Halsted family of Rowley Hall.

When in 1881, John Hargreaves Scott, a prominent local businessman, an alderman, and Mayor of Burnley in 1871–3, died without an heir, his will specified that upon his wife's death the remaining money be used to create a public park for the town. Mrs Scott died in 1884 and the trustees took some time to decide where to use the £10,000 available (equivalent to at least £1 million...