Park

Alexandra Park opened to the public in 1870. It had been designed with a raised terrace lined with a half mile long avenue of lime trees and was specifically intended for people to stroll along - this avenue still survives today. The Park was intended to promote a simple moral purpose - to keep families together in shared recreation. The reality, however, was probably more mundane - to dissuade men from spending their day of rest in alehouses. Despite this model to family unity, boys and girls were given separate play areas (for decency's sake). The competition to design the park had been awarded to Alexander Hennel, and was the first to incorporate ornamental features and sports facilities.