William Clarke Park

William Clarke Park, better known as The Patch, is a public park in Brighton, England, which was opened in the late 20th century. The park has a sports area, which contains a basketball hoop and a football goal, a children's playground and a pond among other things. It can be accessed by paths from Hartington Road, Picton Street and Franklin Street.[1]

William Clarke Park
The Patch
The park in January 2014
TypePublic Park
LocationBrighton, England
Coordinates50.833972°N 0.123508°W / 50.833972; -0.123508
Area1.95 acres (0.79 ha)
Websitewilliamclarkepark.org

History

After the Kemp Town branch line closed in 1971, the former railway cutting—a long and narrow area of land between Hartington Road and Elm Grove—became available for redevelopment. Labour councillor and former Mayor of Brighton William Clarke led a campaign to lay out a recreational area to serve the Elm Grove and Lewes Road areas,[2] which are underprovided with open space.[3] Landfill was used on the cutting to create the park.[4]

The park opened in the 1980s and has been looked after by a community group, the Friends of William Clarke Park, since 1995.[2] It is one of several parks in the city where the council can arrange for people to plant a commemorative tree.[5]

In March 2017, the park had a £53,000 makeover, which forced it to close for a few days.[6] It replaced lots of fencing, resurfaced paths, and improved drainage systems, as well as giving the park better play equipment.[4]

Patchfest

Patchfest is an annual community festival in the park, which is run by volunteers and organised by the Friends of William Clarke group. The festival has live music and many stalls which contain games, food and drink or other things which are being sold.[7] On 8 May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a virtual Patchfest to replace the in person festival, as restrictions at the time did not allow in-person meetings.[8]

References
  1. "Maps: William Clarke Park". Brighton & Hove City Council. 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. Collis 2010, p. 232.
  3. "Hanover & Elm Grove Neighbourhood" (PDF). Brighton & Hove Urban Characterisation Study. Brighton: Brighton & Hove City Council (Design & Conservation Team). January 2009. p. 45. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  4. "£53,000 refurbishment starts in popular park". The Argus. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  5. "Tree Trust". Brighton & Hove City Council. 2014. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  6. "Brighton park closes as first stage of £53k revamp begins". Brighton and Hove News. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  7. "Patchfest @ William Clarke Park". Facebook. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  8. "Virtual mini patchfest". Facebook. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2022.

Bibliography
  • Collis, Rose (2010). The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton. (based on the original by Tim Carder) (1st ed.). Brighton: Brighton & Hove Libraries. ISBN 978-0-9564664-0-2.

See also
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