Stanley Park Visitors Centre

The Stanley Park Visitor Centre in Blackpool was officially opened on August 24, 2005, by the 19th Earl of Derby, Edward Richard William Stanley. It was funded by the National Lottery Fund and provides an office for the Friends of Stanley Park who now manage the building. The centre is built on the site of an old, unused joinery workshop and is staffed by volunteers.

Stanley Park itself was opened on 2 October 1926 by the 17th Earl of Derby, on the same day as opening the new marine promenade. The marine promenade cost £320,000 and at the opening the Earl cut a black and white ribbon using gold scissors. He then gave the mayor half a crown to counteract his superstitions regarding the ribbon colours. The park was named “Stanley Park” after the Earl’s family name and he opened the park using a golden key at the main gates. He was then driven to the Italian Gardens to address the crowds and acknowledged the towns motto ‘Progress’ and stated that Blackpool continued to be a town that continued to invest for the future. At the opening of the park in 1926 it was estimated the project had cost £250,000 (equivalent to £18,328,429 in 2023). News of the park opening spread as far as America and it was described as providing “for the recreational needs of the modern generation”.