St Mary’s Park and the Flower Park were officially opened by the 17th Earl of Derby on 3 October 1931. The park was then known as St Mary’s Playing Fields and the Flower Park known as St Mary’s Park. St Mary’s Playing Fields was originally glebe land (land given to a clergyman) belonging to St Mary’s Church, which was bought by Prestwich Urban Council for £100 in 1927.
Canon Cooper was instrumental in the Church Commissioners selling the land to provide a central open space for the people of Prestwich. Part of the Playing Field had initially been the former Rectory Pond called The Dingle (a deep gully at the head of Prestwich Clough) – the Deyne Brook also runs through this area. Prestwich Rifle Club founded in 1911 also had a firing range on The Dingle. Following tipping, the area was then levelled to create a playing field for the local community to use.
The Unemployment Grant funded a large proportion of the original facilities in the park which included; tennis courts, two bowling greens, an area for cricket and football and a children’s playground. The total cost of these facilities was in the region of £13,600. The park also had a bowling pavilion which was used by bowlers from both the home and away team. A popular bandstand was also located in the park which was used and enjoyed by many.
Since opening, the park has been used by the people of Prestwich as a meeting place, as they did in 1937 to celebrate the coronation of King George the VI. The grounds were also used to hold rallies - WW2 local hero, Squadron leader Johnny Topham addressed a rally in aid of the war effort. Throughout its existence St Mary's Park has been the usual home of Prestwich Carnival which is an important event in the Prestwich annual calendar.
