- Wibsey Park Avenue, Bradford BD6 3QD
- Open 24 hours a day, all year round
- BMX track
- Bowling green
- Children's play area
- Fitness equipment
- Multi use games area
- Pond
- Skate park
- Walking routes
Wibsey Park, Wibsey Park Avenue, Bradford, United Kingdom
Quick description
From tree-lined strolls to a picturesque open lake, a sizeable play area and a skate park, everyone will surely find something to enjoy!
What’s there?
Wibsey Park has been a source of joy for the village community for generations. Locals will tell stories of spectacular flower beds and an outdoor sitting room. Countless happy memories have been and continue to be created!
Today, the park continues to serve people across the district with a range of attractions. Those hoping to blow off some steam can ride around the extended terrain on scooters or bikes or take it up a notch and try out their skills in the large skateboard park.
Those looking for more laid-back activities can enjoy a peaceful walk around the lake or participate in a round of bowls with friends.
Wibsey Community Garden events – Bradford Organic Communities Service (BOCS)
In 2016, with a team of dedicated volunteers, BOCS took over the management of Wibsey Community Gardens. The site now boasts three polytunnels used to grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and salads, all cultivated using organic growing methods. The products harvested from the Garden are then sold to the community. There is also an apiary with beekeepers tending to numerous hives, yielding honey as one of the most popular products. Additionally, BOCS works closely alongside local schools to provide educational events about fruit, vegetables, and healthier cooking and eating practices.
For more information, visit: https://bradford-organics-communities-service-ltd.org.uk/wibsey-community-garden-html/
Play area
At the lake’s edge are two playgrounds that offer an array of playthings for kids to discover and enjoy. The first caters to those of a younger age, while the second is designed to provide a more adventurous experience.
Outdoor gym equipment
The neatly compact fitness area offers a space to exercise in the fresh air, surrounded by nature and with no membership required!
Reevy Mill Dam
Managed by Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES), this large mill pond sits adjacent to Wibsey Park. BEES manage the grassland to encourage wildflowers, trees and shrubs and attract wildlife, including nesting coots, moorhens and Canadian Geese. For more information, visit: https://bees-ymca.org.uk/places/reevymilldam
Lake
Sitting at the heart of the park, it provides a home for a variety of wildlife, including ducks, coots, moorhens, swans, and various other aquatic species.
Skate Park
A skatepark featuring concreate mounds.
Bowling Club
Wibsey Park Crown Green Bowls Club is run from the park. The space boasts two greens with a large club house.
Multi-sports pitches
Includes football pitches and a large basketball court.
History
Wibsey Park was built on Wibsey Slack. The area was to be enclosed by the lords of the manor in 1881, but a local councillor, Enoch Priestley, fought against this for the rights of the local people. The land was saved, and the park opened on 25 May 1885 after a grand ceremony. Enoch Priestley became a local hero. He also campaigned for a new road linking the village to Bradford. When the road was completed, Priestley was unofficially canonised by the locals. They named the road St Enoch’s in his honour.
The park was once home to a strange attraction. In the 1930s, visitors to the park were invited to relax in a ‘sitting room’ sculpted from plants and hedges. This novel arrangement was one of many sculptures by the first parkkeeper, James Walton.
Natural history
The park in Bradford has a wide variety of native wildlife, including roe deer, foxes, rabbits, badgers, birds such as woodpeckers, blackbirds, thrushes and finches, and a large variety of resident and migratory butterflies. The park is also home to various wildflowers, trees and shrubs.
Resources
Friends Group
Visit the Friends of Bradford District Parks page to find out more about activities and initiatives coordinated by the Friends of Wibsey Park.
What’s on
Visit the things to do area for details of all events.
Friends of Wibsey Park
The Friends of Wibsey Park group organise various events throughout the year, which are regularly posted on the Friends group Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofwibseypark/
Wibsey Community Garden events – Bradford Organic Communities Service (BOCS)
Various community events are organised with local organisations such as Give Bradford and Bradford Bulls. This has included storytelling, book hunts, Crocus planting and other children’s activities.