Albert Park, Middlesbrough
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Albert Park is an open access, free public park, located in Middlesbrough, in the borough of Middlesbrough and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England.
It was at the instigation of town's first mayor and MP, Henry Bolckow, that an idea of a public park for the residents of Middlesbrough was first mooted: dubbed the 'People's Park' in its conception, Bolckow was particularly consciousness of the need to provide an ostensible 'green lung' to ease the plight of the burgeoning industrial population of a town which had only been granted its charter of incorporation as recently as 1853.
The Park was first opened in 1868, and ten years later it was the site of the formation by players from Middlesbrough Amateur Cricket Club of the original Middlesbrough Football Club, and, for the two subsequent years until 1878, prior to its exit as hastened by damage afflicted upon the Park by players and supporters alike, its first ground.
The park has been credited with the Green Flag Park Award by the Civic Trust.
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[edit] Sculptures
A statue depicting sporting legend Brian Clough at the start of his football career was unveiled in the park on May 16, 2007. The 7ft-tall bronze figure, sculpted by Vivien Mallock, shows a 24-year-old Clough with his boots slung over his shoulder striding towards Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough's former ground, on his way to training.[1]
[edit] Sundial
The sundial in Albert Park has always been a point of interest within the park.
The sundial donated by H.W.F Bolckow in 1879. It was designed and constructed by John Smith of Stockton.
This allows people within the park itself to be able to read the time in the UK, New York and Melbourne.
The sundial is indexed in the listed buildings index for Middlesbrough with a grade of 2.
[edit] Central fountain
The central fountain in Albert Park, Middlesbrough was originally presented by Joseph Pease in 1869.
It underwent substantial renovation and was switched back on on Friday 2 April 2004 after a multi-million pound makeover.
