Luton
Parks and open spaces
### Parks and open spaces

Luton has a variety of parks ranging from district parks, neighbourhood parks, local open space and leisure gardens.

#### Brantwood Park

In the 1880s, the land now known as Brantwood Park was an open field on the south side of [Dallow](/wiki/Dallow "Dallow"). The site was purchased by the Town Council in 1894 for use as a recreation ground and there is reference to it as ‘West Ward Recreation Ground' in a 1911\-year book. It is reported as being one of the first two recreation grounds in Luton; the other being East Ward Recreation Ground, now known as Manor Park.

#### Kidney Wood

Kidney Wood is ancient semi\-natural [woodland](/wiki/Woodland "Woodland") on the southern edge of Luton that has been identified as a County Wildlife Site. The wood was purchased by [Luton Borough Council](/wiki/Luton_Borough_Council "Luton Borough Council") as an area of public open space. The council seeks to maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest of Kidney Wood, including its habitats while allowing public access for informal recreation including play. Kidney Wood includes a way marked nature trail and play dells.

#### Memorial Park

Sir Julius Wernher purchased the [Luton Hoo](/wiki/Luton_Hoo "Luton Hoo") Estate and the Manor of Luton from Madame de Falbe around 1903\. He carried out substantial renovation works to the Manor and grounds. On his death in 1912 the estate passed to Lady Ludlow. Lady Ludlow presented the Park to the people of Luton on 12 June 1920, in memory of her son Alex Piggott Werner, who was killed in action during the First World War. The site is officially named Luton Hoo Memorial Park. Council records state that the area was purchased under the Statutory Powers of the Public Health Acts.

#### Stockwood Park

[thumb\|right\|[Stockwood Park](/wiki/Stockwood_Park "Stockwood Park"), Luton](/wiki/File:Stockwoodpark.jpg "Stockwoodpark.jpg")
[thumb\|left\|Part of the [Mossman Collection](/wiki/Mossman_Collection "Mossman Collection").](/wiki/File:Part_of_the_Mossman_Collection_%281%29_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1548315.jpg "Part of the Mossman Collection (1) - geograph.org.uk - 1548315.jpg")

Stockwood Park is a large municipal park near Junction 10 of the [M1](/wiki/M1_motorway "M1 motorway"). Located in the park is [Stockwood Discovery Centre](/wiki/Stockwood_Discovery_Centre "Stockwood Discovery Centre"), a free museum that houses Luton local social history, archaeology and geology. The collection of rural crafts and trades held at Stockwood Discovery Centre was amassed by Thomas Wyatt Bagshawe, who was a notable local historian and a leading authority on folk life. The park has an athletics track, an 18\-hole golf course, several rugby and football pitches and areas of open space. Stockwood park is also home to stockwood park RFC, a local amateur rugby team. The park was originally the estate and grounds to Stockwood house, which was demolished in 1964\. The museum includes the [Mossman Collection](/wiki/Mossman_Collection "Mossman Collection") of horse\-drawn vehicles, which is the largest and most significant vehicle collection of its kind in the country, including originals from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

#### Wardown Park

[thumb\|left\|The Daisy\-Chain Wall in [Wardown Park](/wiki/Wardown_Park "Wardown Park").](/wiki/File:Daisy-Chain-Walk-standard.jpg "Daisy-Chain-Walk-standard.jpg")

Wardown Park is situated on the [River Lea](/wiki/River_Lee_%28England%29 "River Lee (England)") in Luton. The park has sporting facilities, is home to the [Wardown Park Museum](/wiki/Wardown_Park_Museum "Wardown Park Museum") and contains formal gardens. The park is located between *Old Bedford Road* and the [A6](/wiki/A6_road_%28England%29 "A6 road (England)"), *New Bedford Road* and is within walking distance of the town centre. The park houses Wardown House Museum and Gallery, previously known as Luton Museum and Art Gallery, in a large Victorian mansion. The museum collection focuses on the traditional crafts and industry of Luton and Bedfordshire, notably [lace](/wiki/Lace "Lace") making and [hatmaking](/wiki/Hatmaking "Hatmaking"). There are samples of local lace from as early as the 17th century.


What is Kidney Wood