Vernon Park

Vernon Park opened on 20 September 1858 as Pinch Belly Park or the People's Park. It was built by Stockport Corporation on land donated by George John Warren (Lord Vernon). Work was given to the many unemployed mill workers of the time and it became known as Pinch Belly Park due to their hunger.{{cite news |title=Vernon Park |url=https://gmwalking.co.uk/walking-routes/vernon-park/ |accessdate=21 March 2020 |work=Greater Manchester Walking}}

The park has Grade II status in the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.{{National Heritage List for England| num=1001308 |desc=Vernon Park |grade=II |accessdate=28 October 2016}} After being awarded £2.1 million from the Heritage Lottery for restoration, the park reopened on 29 September 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/parksandrecreation/parks/vernonpark/|title=Vernon Park|publisher=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council|accessdate=21 November 2011}}

In 1842 Lord Vernon presented to Stockport Corporation {{convert|15|acre}} of land about {{convert|1|mi|spell=in}} southeast of the town. The council laid it out as a public park. One portion rises from the bank of the River Goyt which flows over a weir making a waterfall. There are statues, ponds, rock work, a fountain and planting.{{cite news|title=Opening of the Vernon Park, Stockport |work=The Belfast News-Letter |issue=13186|date=24 September 1858 |page=4}} The park was formally opened by the Mayor of Stockport, William Williamson, on 20 September 1858.

The park has a bandstand, a maze, a pond, a playground and a bowling green.{{cite news |last1=Kingston |first1=Stephen |title=STOCKPORT ART EXHIBITION SHAMES SALFORD CITY COUNCIL |url=http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=5211 |accessdate=21 March 2020 |work=Salford Star |date=27 August 2019}} The gardens include water features, a fernery, a sunken garden and herbaceous borders.{{cite web |title=Vernon Park |url=https://www.visitnorthwest.com/sights/vernon-park/ |website=Visit Northwest |accessdate=21 March 2020}} The landscape includes tree-lined paths, statues and a cannon. The open views allow sight of the nearby mills.

A museum was opened in 1860.{{cite news |title=STOCKPORT COUNCIL REPORT TO EXECUTIVE MEETING – SUMMARY SHEET: Vernon Park Museum |url=http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s22891/Vernon |accessdate=21 March 2020 |work=Stockport Council |date=12 November 2012}} Originally known as the Stockport Museum, the building was renamed the Vernon Museum.{{cite web |title=Vernon Park |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/ii3xdrqc6nfw/6e1GibnGusccsEWm0SeGCq/f55b7d5a20748659e2b6bf4ccd6d0f53/vernonparkleaflet.pdf |publisher=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council |accessdate=21 March 2020}} In 2013 the museum was closed and many of its 2,800 objects were moved to the Stockport Story Museum.{{cite news |title=Emptying Vernon Park Museum and other stories |url=https://hlfmuseumstrainee.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/emptying-vernon-park-museum-and-other-stories/ |accessdate=21 March 2020 |work=Museum Musings |date=22 May 2013}} The building is now run by Pure Innovations and includes a cafe run by people with disabilities.{{cite web |title=Vernon Park Café |url=https://www.pureinnovations.co.uk/what-we-offer/our-cafes/vernon-park-cafe/ |website=Pure Innovations |accessdate=21 March 2020}}{{cite news |title=Pure Innovations upgrades Vernon Park Café |url=https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/pure-innovations-upgrades-vernon-park-cafe/ |accessdate=21 March 2020 |work=Marketing Stockport |date=12 April 2018}}

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{{reflist}}

• [https://www.facebook.com/StockportMuseums/ Stockport Museums on Facebook]
• [https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/stockport-museum Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council: official Stockport Museums page]

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Category:Country parks in Greater Manchester

Category:Stockport

Category:1858 establishments in England

Category:Grade II Historic Parks in England

Category:Parks and commons in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport