Fascinating history of city park could be unveiled if council backs project

The history of a York park, once home to James Backhouse, a 19th century botanist and nursery owner, could be revealed to the public if a new project is backed.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Feb 2014, 00:00 BST

West Bank Park, in Holgate, was the family home of Mr Backhouse who travelled extensively throughout Australia, Mauritius and South Africa. Backhouse Nurseries, which stretched from the park to Acomb, was at the time one of the most significant nursery sites in the north of England.

The nursery became renowned as suppliers of alpine plants, rock gardens and for the introduction of species which were new to English horticulture. Now efforts are being made to celebrate Mr Backhouse and make his work more widely known to members of the public.

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Today, members of York Council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism committee will hear details of a plan to create a community cafe and heritage centre in the park.

A community group, supported by the council, is looking at the project and will seek permission from members to apply for cash from an innovation fund.

The meeting will be told the group is looking at new ways of generating cash which could eventually pay towards the park’s upkeep and replace the council’s current maintenance costs of £70,000 a year.

Members will be asked to back a bid to the Nesta Rethinking Parks programme to help fund development work to further improve the park and its facilities and increase community management.

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Coun Sonja Crisp, the council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “The group want to submit a bid to Nesta (National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts) which, in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund, have £1m to support projects across the country and internationally.”

The bid, if successful, could help realise the community group’s dream of revealing the park’s origins.

A successful application would allow the council to use aspects of the scheme as a blueprint for other parks and open spaces where community management is taking shape, such as at Hull Road Park, councillors will be told.

If members of the authority back the proposals, an initial application must be submitted by February 28. If successful, applicants will then be asked to submit more detailed bids.