West Park, Long Eaton

West Park

Type| Park
Coordinates| 52°53′44″N 1°17′0.4″W﻿ / ﻿52.89556°N 1.283444°W﻿ / 52.89556; -1.283444
Area| 46.6 ha[1]
Operated by| Erewash Borough Council
Open| All year

West Park is the premier park in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England.[2] It is also the location of the town's indoor leisure centre.

## History[edit]

West Park is near the historic centre of Long Eaton on the opposite side of Erewash Canal, the area was used for Lace factories and part of the park is within The Lace Factory Conservation area.[3] It is an Edwardian park with Long Eaton Borough council purchasing the land that now comprises the park in seven parcels starting in 1882 and finishing in 1952.[4]

## Landmarks[edit]

West Park bandstand

The gates and gatepiers to West Park were made by Robert Bakewell in the early 1700s and are Grade II* listed by Historic England,[5] they were purchased from Aston Hall, Aston on Trent, Derbyshire and erected in 1928. A Fishpond Shelter was also installed after purchase from Aston Hall and there is a historic bandstand.[1]

## Facilities[edit]

Cricket at West Park

The town's leisure centre is located at the park. In addition there is football, two cricket clubs, rugby pitches, baseball pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens, an outdoor gym, a cafe, formal gardens, a bandstand, a skatepark, two children's play area, a splashpad, walking, cycle paths and croquet.[2] A Parkrun takes place in the park every Saturday morning.[6] Long Eaton Rugby Club are based at the park.[7]

The Park once had a narrow gauge passenger railway which was opened in 1966. It was of 2ft gauge and used a 4 wheeled Ruston diesel and an ex NCB 4-wheeled open carriage[8] It closed circa 1970.

## Flooding[edit]

West park has had issues with flooding in the past, with the autumn of 2023 having particularly notable flooding. Parts of the park had knee-high water levels, with the majority of the park's grounds being visibly submerged. As a result of the 2023 flooding, the annual Bonfire Night event, that usually takes place in the park, was cancelled.[9]

## See also[edit]

* Listed buildings in Long Eaton

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "West Park Management Plan 2014-2018" (PDF). www.erewash.gov.uk. p. 7.
2. ^ a b "Erewash Borough Council". www.erewash.gov.uk.
3. ^ "West Park Management Plan 2014-2018" (PDF). www.erewash.gov.uk. p. 14.
4. ^ "West Park Management Plan 2014-2018" (PDF). www.erewash.gov.uk. p. 14-15.
5. ^ Historic England. "Gates to West Park (1087919)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
6. ^ "course - Long Eaton parkrun". www.parkrun.org.uk.
7. ^ "Long Eaton RFC". nldrfu.co.uk.
8. ^ Cooke, B.W.C., ed. (August 1966). "Narrow Gauge in Nottingham". Notes and News. Railway Magazine. Vol. 112, no. 784\. p. 482.
9. ^ "Long Eaton: Fireworks show cancelled due to Storm Babet flooding". No. 27 October 2023. BBC News. BBC. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.

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