Memorial Park in Fleetwood was established as a living tribute to the town’s World War I fallen. The Fleetwood Heroes’ Fund Committee, formed in 1918 by the Fleetwood Urban District Council (FUDC), fundraised and purchased the grounds from Fleetwood Estates Limited in 1921. Patrick Abercrombie, a pioneer of modern town planning and later renowned for his post-war work, designed the park as part of a broader civic plan. Combining Garden City principles with formal axes, radii, and vistas inspired by Decimus Burton, the park was envisioned as Fleetwood’s civic centre, featuring a war memorial aligned with its entrance. Initial features, such as the remembrance tree avenue and gates by HH Martyn, were introduced in the mid-1920s.
From 1925 to 1932, the park’s development included key milestones. The war memorial, designed by sculptor Herbert Tyson Smith, was unveiled in 1927, with landscaping efforts led by Alexander Edwards, a former assistant curator at Kew Gardens. Edwards completed the rose garden, rock and water garden, and bowling greens, which hosted their first tournament in 1931. These developments made Memorial Park a vital community hub. Over time, minor expansions were made, including the incorporation of the Warrenhurst garden, while the memorial was updated after World War II to include additional names.
Today, Memorial Park retains much of its original layout and continues to serve as a space for remembrance and recreation. Its design, blending civic purpose with natural beauty, reflects Fleetwood’s commitment to honouring its past while fostering community connections. The park’s enduring legacy is seen in its continued use by families, young people, and groups commemorating the sacrifices made during times of conflict.
Text source: Wyre Council’swebsite
Images by © Deeper Blue Marketing & Design Ltd
