Welcome to East Park
East Park is one of four original Victorian parks in Hull. It has long been a family favorite place to visit. The site is manned by a Team of Park Rangers and gardeners from Hull City Councils Parks and Gardens Dept .They oversee the daily running of the park and duties cover from litter picking to hosting events such as East Park Rocks and the Halloween fright night etc.
Over the years attractions have come and gone such as the Mississippi Paddle Steamer and the East Park Railway Company ride to name but a few. In 2000 a successful application was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the park to its Victorian grandeur. The old animal compound and aviaries have been replaced with fantastic new facilities. The old playgrounds were removed and a new playground was built on the chute field, providing a safe area for children to play. Long awaited repairs to the ornamental bridge have finally finished. The old jetty was demolished and the showboat was sold though you can still journey on the lake in the summer months on a rowing boat or swan pedalo.New facilities will come online such as the new water play area which is located on the old animal compound site. East park is more popular than ever drawing in even more visitors for family fun.
Over the years attractions have come and gone such as the Mississippi Paddle Steamer and the East Park Railway Company ride to name but a few. In 2000 a successful application was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the park to its Victorian grandeur. The old animal compound and aviaries have been replaced with fantastic new facilities. The old playgrounds were removed and a new playground was built on the chute field, providing a safe area for children to play. Long awaited repairs to the ornamental bridge have finally finished. The old jetty was demolished and the showboat was sold though you can still journey on the lake in the summer months on a rowing boat or swan pedalo.New facilities will come online such as the new water play area which is located on the old animal compound site. East park is more popular than ever drawing in even more visitors for family fun.
More to do
Organized events take place throughout the year from local history walk and talks, to bird watches and bug hunts. In the summer months there are regular school and nursery visits to the park. A firm favourite of these is the bouncy castle finale. On most weekends and school holidays donkey rides are available from outside the new playground.
If you enjoy music pop concerts take place from time to time. Recent artists that have played at East Park include Blue, Steps, Gareth Gates, Sugababes, McFly and Ronan Keating to name a few. In addition to all this in the school holidays the popular rowing boats, pedalos and splash boat are open daily.The park also plays home to The East Hull Dockers rugby club which plays on the pitch at the rear of Tower Grange Police station and home matches are very popular with visitors.
Tickets are sold from the boathouse. Please note there is a 1.1m height restriction on the splash boat.. If a less energetic time is required we recommend a visit to the animal education centre or watch the Model Boats on the model yacht pond.
Or maybe you would just like a picnic with the family; there are lots of areas to do this and let the kids run around. There are many ways to enjoy a visit to East Park and it’s been happening for over 125 years.
If you enjoy music pop concerts take place from time to time. Recent artists that have played at East Park include Blue, Steps, Gareth Gates, Sugababes, McFly and Ronan Keating to name a few. In addition to all this in the school holidays the popular rowing boats, pedalos and splash boat are open daily.The park also plays home to The East Hull Dockers rugby club which plays on the pitch at the rear of Tower Grange Police station and home matches are very popular with visitors.
Tickets are sold from the boathouse. Please note there is a 1.1m height restriction on the splash boat.. If a less energetic time is required we recommend a visit to the animal education centre or watch the Model Boats on the model yacht pond.
Or maybe you would just like a picnic with the family; there are lots of areas to do this and let the kids run around. There are many ways to enjoy a visit to East Park and it’s been happening for over 125 years.
Around the Park
1.water chute walkway 2 Water chute
3.Ornamental Bridge
3.Ornamental Bridge
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This video was shot in East Park and featured the old shelter on the main field which used to be used for telephones during Hull Show as well as go karting thru the Khyber Pass.Not something that is allowed on a daily basis and the karting finished up on the summergangs entrance side of the park.At the time of this video being shot east park was divided up into 3 zones each having its own ranger responsible for it .East Park 1 covered half the main field and all of the summergangs field upto the old bowling greens. East Park 2 covered the lakeside of the park up to and including the chute field which now houses the new playground East Park 3 covered the rest of the main field area and everything around the middle of the park including the two old toilet blocks.This all changed in the mid 90s with the park getting a team of rangers to oversee the entire site.
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Mick Ronson. From Gardener to Guitar Great.
Mick Ronson playing at what would be his final appearance at the Freddie Mercury Concert.
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Mick Ronson was born in Beverley in 1946 but the family soon moved to Hull were the lived on the Greatfield Estate. Mick was classically trained on piano recorder violin and harmonium.But he moved onto guitar after listening to Duane eddy.Mick later joined a local band The Rats and also worked as a session guitarist for various artists at the time.He worked as a Gardener at East Park in Hull.It was whilst doing this he was recruited by John Cambridge to meet with David Bowie who was putting together a backing band which turned out to be the( spiders from mars )Mick played guitar on many classic bowie tracks.After the Spiders split in 1973 he pursued a solo career but his heart wasn't fully in it. so he joined Mott the Hoople and also did a stint with Bob Dylan on his rolling tour.Mick was diagnosed with liver cancer in 1991 but he refused to stop working and he did the production on morrisseys album YOUR ARSENAL and played guitar with Bowie on his album Black Tie White Noise.His last appearance was playing with David bowie at the Freddie mercury tribute concert.Mick Ronson died in 1993 aged 47. a memorial stage was built in Hulls Queens Gardens in his memory.
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More than just a park
From International showjumping to music concerts east park has a variety of events for most tastes.One of the most popular events was the HULL SHOW which sadly closed in the late eighties.But new events have risen to become annual such as the HULL MOTOR SHOW and the VETERANS WEEKEND along with the EASTCOAST VINTAGE MOTOR VEHICLE RALLY which gathers and leaves from east park on its way to Bridlington.
The Lord Mayors parade used to finish at the park with the new lord mayor greeting the parade of floats and marching majorettes at the front of the park.Then into the gala which was part of the days events.The lord mayors parade was for many years one of the most popular events in the city but sadly no longer exists.But is fondly remembered by many. |
A popular event in October is fright night complete with spooky walk on the 31st October but a fair is onsite for a few days leading up to Halloween.Also the friends group have a Santa Claus event were you can meet Santa. There is such a variety of events to cover all tastes you'll be sure to find something.
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The Central Pavilion
The central pavilion now stands on what was the sunken Gardens area of old East park .accommodating the Park Area Team offices. A reception and Park offices.There is also a community room. as well as toilets and Cafe area were you can get a cooked meal and snacks.The cafe is open everyday except Christmas holidays ( see cafe for details of times).
The reception is manned at the moment wed 1pm till 5pm. Thurs 8.30 till 5.pm and 8.30 till 4pm on a Friday. |
The community room is bookable for Parties and meetings.It also hosts special events such as friends of the parks Christmas grotto and part of the fright night spectacular.If you wish to check availability of the room see reception or contact a ranger for more details
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Want to find out more.
Pick up a leaflet or find out whats going on in the local community at the Reception.
If its your first visit pick up a park information pack it has a map and lots of information with regards to park amenities. East Park truly is The Peoples Park |