A brief introduction

Higher Failsworth Memorial Park was part of the three pockets of open space created by the Failsworth War Memorial Committee, a sub group of the then Failsworth Urban District Council.

The group bought land in both Lower and Higher Failsworth, and the small gardens on Oldham Road (The site of the cenotaph) in memory to over 200 Failsworth men who died in the First World War.

Building the new park was not straight forward by any means and for a long time the purchase of the land was delayed because national government suspended any capital expenditure during the war, this was overcome for some time by the council prolonging negotiations with the land owner.

Opening of Higher Failsworth Memorial Park

Oldham Evening Standard, Saturday 23rd June 1923.

The sun shone upon the opening of Failsworth’s new recreation ground, a gift to the Failsworth Council by the Failsworth War Memorial Committee.

 As one enters the gates on Cheetham Street and. proceeds along the walk immediately in front, a children’s playground is seen on the right, and a grass tennis court on the left. Turning to the left a splendid large bowling green and pavilion are on the right hand, and at the top of the walk is one of the excellent tennis courts laid in shale. Both courts are large enough for three nets, and though the laying out of the grass courts and. the turf around the paths has not yet been completed, and. though the bowling green is not quite ready for play, it is easy to see that this “new lung” will be a keenly appreciated. boon to all of the residents of Failsworth.

In addition to securing plots of land in the Higher and Lower wards for memorial parks, it was also proposed to secure the whole of the boundaries of Failsworth and. make them into a park. (This never came about). The total amount the committee were promised was nearly £3,000. Of that sum they have received £2,152. Their total expenditure up to the present (1923), including the purchase of land in both wards for recreational purposes in both wards and the war memorial in the lower ward. was over £2,000. They had at present £200 in the bank, but they had very serious liabilities to face even yet.
 

The park continues to be at the centre of the community in the Higher Failsworth and Wrigley Head area.

The park was upgrading in 1996 to improve the central boulevard which runs through the park.

There are tennis and ball courts and a children's play area, together with traditional bowls.

Social Services also use the park as a base for adults with learning disabilities, for them to be able to enjoy the park and mix with the community. So far the programme has proven a success.

Higher Failsworth Memorial Park is rightly called a hidden treasure, it has no main road frontage and is almost entirely surrounding by dense housing.

The park acts as a welcome relief from the busy streets surrounding.

Local councillors are working to improve the park and are seeking National Lottery Funding to upgrade the park further and provide a new community building in the park.

The parks future looks bright, lets hope that stays the case.