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• History and trees are a special feature of Evington Park

• Date:

  3rd June 2008

• Contact:

  Sarah Egerton

• Organisation:

  The Civic Trust

Evington Park has made a special feature of its trees in various ways – with the help of historical planting and talented staff.

This Green Flag Award-winning site has had a varied and interesting life, beginning as a country estate in the 19th century. Evington House was built in 1836 and has a lengthy and interesting history with various owners and connections to affluent citizens from Leicestershire, who became very prominent members of the Community in Evington.

Then during the First World War Evington House was transformed into an auxiliary hospital and in the Second World War, it formed the headquarters of the Evington Home Guard Platoon, during which time it had one ‘near-miss’ and one accidental ‘direct hit’. On 20 November 1940, one of a string of bombs fell on what are now the park’s cricket pitches.

The Park has many different compartments ranging from nature areas with extensive ecology, sporting facilities and a fine collection of mature and unusual tree species. Within this tree collection is a Black Mulberry tree believed to have been planted around the time the house was built. This has been preserved and well looked after over subsequent years and still provides an abundance of berries every year to feed the many species of birds who have made their home in the park, including a resident Green Woodpecker.

In addition to the abundance of natural horticulture there are three main pieces of art, which are thoroughly enjoyed by all ages of visitors to the park today. Youngsters love to play and sit on a wooden sculpture entitled ‘Steps to nature’ (see picture) The ‘Tree of Life’ was once an Oak tree which died and was brought back to life with carvings of wildlife. In addition to these unique and interactive pieces of natural sculpture, Bill Gardner, of Leicester City Councils Trees & woodlands Section, also recently carved an old tree stump which had the remains of a metal bench embedded in it, making it impossible to remove. Thanks to Bill, this unsightly stump has now been transformed into an interesting piece of art entitled the Green Man. EVINGTON PA

Situated near the ‘Steps to nature’ is a plaque with a poem written by local resident Dee Degnan, dedicated to her favourite park:

The hustle and bustle of city life,
Can really be a major strife.
But Sunday afternoons, where better to be, than Evington Park, sat under the trees.
The lush green grass, the abundant flowers. The woody area giving shelter to the showers.
If I sit quiet, the squirrels ignore me, As so silently they climb up and down the trees, Arches and roses, pure tranquillity and peace.
As I walk along there’s a Nature pond,
Where children gather in Spring.
With jars and nets and happy smiles, they’re busy tad poling.
I watch in amusement, as I see a little boy shouting, “Mummy look at me”
He’s on the Park on the climbing frame, as high as can be.
The Tennis, the Cricket all add to the fun, and families having picnics enjoying the sun.
There’s Spring as everything comes alive.
The Summer for picnics and flowers so bright, Autumn leaves so crisp and golden brown and Winter snow making everything white.
Add all this together and you will see
Anytime of the year Evington Park is No 1 for me.