Lenton Times

The Magazine of Lenton Local History Society

 Derby Road Entrance Area

The garden area adjacent to the Derby Road entrance has always contained a set of formal flower beds.  This photograph taken in the 1960s shows the central bed in the time when Cyril Wing was the park superintendent.

Part of the outer ring of flowers beds taken at the same time as the previous photograph.

For ease of maintenance the complex of flower beds were later reduced to one circular bed.  This photograph shows it in early 2004 before being planted up.  

 During 2005 Lenton Recreation Grounds has undergone a major revamp.  A new footpath has been created across the area where the large flower bed was situated and the park employees are carrying out preparatory work for the creation of a new ornamental flower bed.

The new footpath from Derby Road with the completed garden feature that the park employees were working on in the previous photograph.

Eager to keep park users aware of the improvements planned for the Rec.  This sign was erected on the park in 2005.  

 An exterior view of the lodge taken in the 1990s focusing on the wonderful wisteria that has been trained to grow around the side of the building.  

The Children's Play Equipment

This is the toddlers' play area as it looked before the 2005 revamp. The properties on Devonshire Promenade  are visible in the distance and the edge of the old sandpit can be seen on the left.

Another shot of the toddlers' play area with part of the lodge visible on the left and the old sandpit more centre stage.  

A shot of the new play area set out with a completely new range of equipment for use by both toddlers and older children.

The new slide and mini-climbing wall erected on the Rec. in 2005.  Beyond the trees is the park lodge although the white rendered walls of the upper storey somewhat camouflagues its presence.

A copy of the image taken directly from the microfilm reader at the Local Studies Library showing a newspaper photograph of the scene at Lenton Recreation Ground on the day in 1949 when the new play equipment was unveiled. Iif anyone can provide us with the actual newspaper cutting we should be able to produce a better quality image than this.

Elsewhere on the 'Rec'

The Rec. acquired this rather ornate feature in the 1990s.  The structure offers park users a suitable refuge should the weather turn inclement.  Beyond it lies the Derby Road.

Part of the circular pathway around the edge of the Rec. that has remained a permanent feature of the park ever since it first opened in the late 1880s.

The Rec. had been in use for almost two decades before the Corporation installed this toilet block.  Presumably before then anyone caught short had to rush home to spend a penny or else disappear into the shrubbery.  With another set of toilets in the bowls pavilion this block has now been taken out of commission and is likely to be demolished in the near future.

The improvements already carried out on the Rec. during 2005 were sufficient for it to gain the Green Flag award.  As a permanent reminder of this fact a flagpole bearing the 'green flag' can now be found beside the bowling green area of the Rec.