Temple Memorial Park
{{short description|Park in South Shields}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox park
| name =
| image =Temple Park plaque.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Plaque commemorating 1961 opening of Temple Memorial Park.
| map = Tyne and Wear
| map_width =
| type =
| location =South Shields
| nearest_city =
| coordinates ={{Coord|54|58|03|N|01|25|21|W|display=inline,title}}
| area =175 acres
| created =
| operator =South Tyneside Council
| visitation_num =
| status =
| designation =
|opened={{start date|1961|07|12|df=yes}}}}
Temple Memorial Park is a park in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, given to the public by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1946 and named after William Temple, the former archbishop of Canterbury.
History
Temple Memorial Park was given to the people of South Shields by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1946 to recognise their contribution to winning the war at sea in the Second World War. The park was named after William Temple, the former archbishop of Canterbury, and was opened by his widow Mrs Frances Temple on 12 July 1961. But for many years was used as a rubbish dump by the local authority {{Cite web|title=Temple Memorial Park Public Open Space - South Tyneside Council|url=https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/34424/Temple-Memorial-Park-Public-Open-Space|website=www.southtyneside.gov.uk|access-date=2020-05-04}}{{Cite web|title=Inauguration of Temple Memorial Park, South Shields - South Tyneside Libraries|url=https://southtynesidehistory.co.uk/archive/architecture/sculptures-statues-monuments/1026868-inauguration-of-temple-memorial-park-south-shields|website=southtynesidehistory.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-07}}
A cycle speedway track was built in 1967.{{Cite web|title=South Shields|url=http://www.newcastlecyclespeedway.co.uk/South%20Shields.htm#Temple_Park|last=|first=|date=|website=www.newcastlecyclespeedway.co.uk|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-04}}
St Cuthbert's church on King George Road burned down in the early 1970s{{cn|date=May 2020}} and the North Pastures Farm (located within Temple Park) was demolished in the late 1960s.{{Cite web|title=TEMPLE MEMORIAL PARK, PHASE I – DESK TOP STUDY|url=http://planning.southtyneside.info/MVM.DMS/Planning%20Application/758000/758949/ST112717FUL%20Phase%20I%20Desk%20Top%20Study%20231117.pdf|last=Braniff|first=Victoria|date=31 August 2017|website=South Tyneside Council planning|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=24 May 2020}}
Constructed on the site of the former cycle speedway track, the Temple Park Centre was opened in 1977, offering facilities including a swimming pool, closed in October 2013{{Cite web|title=Mayor of South Tyneside takes final swim at Temple Park Centre swimming pool - South Tyneside Council|url=https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/41971/Mayor-of-South-Tyneside-takes-final-swim-at-Temple-Park-Centre-swimming-pool|website=www.southtyneside.gov.uk|access-date=2020-05-04}} and demolished in 2018.{{Cite web|title=Plans approved to bulldoze pool at Temple Park leisure centre in South Shields|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/plans-approved-bulldoze-pool-temple-park-leisure-centre-south-shields-254547|website=www.shieldsgazette.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-07}}
Temple Park Junior school closed on 31 August 2011{{Cite web|title=Temple Park Junior School - GOV.UK|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/108679|website=www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-05-16}} and, after attacks by vandals, demolished in 2018.{{Cite web|title=Vandal-plagued former South Shields school to be demolished within weeks|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/vandal-plagued-former-south-shields-school-be-demolished-within-weeks-378031|website=www.shieldsgazette.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-07}}
Later history
In March 2019, a local campaign sought to have the park recognised as a war memorial.{{Cite web|title=Fight continues to have South Shields' Temple Park recognised as war memorial|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/fight-continues-have-south-shields-temple-park-recognised-war-memorial-120445|last=Nightingale|first=Lisa|date=28 March 2019|website=Shields Gazette|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}
In November 2019, 840 trees were planted.{{Cite web|title=Volunteers to plant 840 trees in Temple Memorial Park, South Shields after 'climate emergency' declared|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/volunteers-plant-840-trees-temple-memorial-park-south-shields-after-climate-emergency-declared-1322963|website=www.shieldsgazette.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-07}}
Facilities
Temple Park has a route, often called the BMX track,{{Cite web|title=Unopened Stella bottle and Blackberry among curious items unearthed on BMX archaeology project|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/what-temple-raiders-teenagers-discovered-exhibition-unveils-history-lost-temple-park-bmx-track-1848919|website=www.shieldsgazette.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}}{{Cite web|title=A youth worker has had his say on the lost Temple Park BMX track as hundreds sign petition calling for new one|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/environment/call-action-over-sorry-situation-lost-temple-park-bmx-track-hundreds-sign-petition-new-facility-1889991|website=www.shieldsgazette.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-20}} created specifically for mountain bikes, paths and green spaces for walkers and a skate park, playground, football court and car park. Since May 2016, the park has been used for five kilometre running events.{{Cite web|title=Temple Memorial Park 5km {{!}} Run Eat Sleep - South Shields|url=http://runeatsleep.co.uk/templepark5k/|website=runeatsleep.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-07}}
The Temple Park Centre's indoor facilities include a gym, netball courts and rooms for fitness classes.{{Cite web|title=Fitness classes at Temple Park Centre - South Tyneside Council|url=https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/34263/Fitness-classes|website=www.southtyneside.gov.uk|access-date=2020-05-04}}