A Short History of Taylor Park

Taylor Park occupies land which was formerly part of the Eccleston Estate were the earliest record of a hall dates from 1374.  A new hall was built in 1834 by Samuel Taylor V11, using stone from the quarry now within Taylor Park.  Samuel Taylor V111 offered 47 acres of his estate to the Town council for the use as a public park in 1892.  The land was accepted by the Council and was transferred on 13th May 1893.

The land included three areas of water.  From north to south, these were Eccleston Bottom Dam (now Leg o' Muttom Dam), Big Dam, on which the Council were granted fishing and boating rights, (See the picture of the Big Dam from the 1960's at the end of this article) and Little Dam.

The Park was officially opened on 18th May 1893, by the mayor, Mr A Singleton in the presence of Samuel Taylor.

The Park continued to improve.  The Quarry and Rockery gardens were established in the early part of the 20th century.  In 1926, little Dam was converted into a paddling pool and in 1930 the boathouse was built.  In 1920 and 1951 the Pilkington family donated two adjoining areas of land.  Today these comprise the Mount and the children's play area.  In 2002, Taylor Park was registered in the Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.

In 2005 Taylor Park was restored and the restoration reflects Taylor Park's glorious past and will provide pleasure and amenity for future generations of visitors.

The 1960's, this is how young and old enjoyed their weekends on the Big Dam when "Billy Barnes" ruled us kids with a rod of iron, we used to play pirates in the rowing boats, used to try and hide from Billy but he always won in the end.