Park of the week

31. Bush Hill Park 

Jack and I visited this Enfield park in April 2021, and it was our first visit of the year when the weather was warm and dry enough for us to be able to sit on one of the many benches, relax and look into the distance. The main area is a flat open space which made this easy.

The park has formal gardens and some rose beds, with avenues of trees including horse chestnuts and oaks. It has basketball, football and tennis courts, a children’s playground, skate park, outdoor gym and picnic tables. There are toilets but no café, although there is a drinking water fountain, if you fancy imagining you’re back in school. The park is clean and well kept. Dogs are allowed in most areas.

The Bush Hill area was once part of Old Park Estate, a Royal property pre-dating the Domesday survey of 1086. In 1660, Charles II granted the estate to the Duke of Albemarle, and it passed through many owners, until it was broken up for building in 1871. The Local Authority bought part of it and the Bush Hill Park Pleasure Grounds were opened in 1908.
Part of the park has been made into a community wildlife garden with ponds, a wildflower meadow, native trees, and shrubs.

A bug hotel and log pile provide habitats for a range of butterflies, insects, and birds. As a work in progress, there’s a willow dome: a willow trained over a wicker shape. Over time the branches will shoot new growth to create a green living dome to sit underneath. The Friends of Bush Hill Park commissioned A wildlife artist created a mural with mural showing the animals and plants in the park. The artist will create an educational factsheet about the artwork, to help people identify the birds, invertebrates, mammals and plants shown. The Friends Group plan to use the factsheet with local schools and other groups.            

Judith Field                    

Bush Hill Park, Lincoln Road, Enfield EN1 1PS