The parks and open spaces of Cambridge are managed by the council's Parks and Recreation Department.
They are an extremely valuable amenity, particularly in a densely built-up and populated city like Cambridge. They provide a form of visual relaxation and relief from the built-up areas of the City. They can offer tranquility and peace, as well as a place to let off steam. They represent a wide variety of opportunities for formal and informal recreation and children's play.
Cambridge City Council is always committed to providing what the people of Cambridge want, so we are always pleased to hear your suggestions for improving the city's parks and open spaces.
Tree works programme
A survey was carried out between August 2006 and March 2007 which identified and plotted all the trees in the parks and open spaces with each being given a full condition assessment at the same time. Further detailed inspections were carried out to ascertain the level of work required to those trees whose condition was of special concern. The work has been detailed and prioritised according to these condition assessments.
The first phase work detailed will begin on 20 November 2007 and will include tree pruning and the removal of several mature trees from Christ’s Pieces, Coe Fen, Jesus Green, Lammas Land, Midsummer Common and Stourbridge Common.
Trees which are removed will be replaced where possible and it is hoped that some will be in the ground early next year. Whilst appreciated that these new trees will not compensate for the loss of mature specimens they will begin to create the landscape for the coming generations.
If you require further information, please contact Kenny McGregor, Cambridge City Council Tree Officer on Cambridge 01223 457138 or email kenny.mcgregor@cambridge.gov.uk
- You can download the Tree Works Programme November 2007 PDF (24KB)
More about ... Jesus Green · Christ's Pieces · Paradise · Parkers Piece · Lammas Land
Jesus Green
Situated to the North of the City centre, Jesus Green is bordered by the River Cam, Victoria Avenue and Jesus College.
Divided by avenues of London Plane and Horse Chestnut trees, it is primarily an area of open parkland grass, offering informal and formal outdoor sports.
The avenue of Platanus X hispanica (London Plane) was planted approximately between 1890 to 1900. The avenue of Aeculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) was planted in 1890.
Each June and October the seasonal bedding area is planted for the coming seasons colourful displays.
Prior to 1496 the land was the site of the Nunnery of St. Radegund which was originally founded in 1133. It was on a large area to the south of the site that during the early 16th Century Jesus College was established.
Originally part of the area now known as Midsummer Common, it was separated in 1890 with the construction of Victoria Avenue. It was not long after, that it was proposed cattle be excluded and the site be laid out for the purpose of recreation.
In 1922 Jesus Green hosted The Royal Agricultural Show. This event allowed spectators to witness the first parachute jump, when a man and his daughter suspended themselves from a net of a hot air balloon, ascended and released themselves.
On the facing bank of Jesus Green, is a thin strip of land called Jubilee Gardens, this is host to 40,000 Carlton type daffodil bulbs in a "Field of Hope" in recognition of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Jesus Green has a toilet block with disabled facilities. There is a refreshments kiosk which is open throughout the year and a large play area.
There is an outdoor swimming pool which is very popular throughout the summer, open from May to September, from 10am to 8pm each day.
There are 6 tennis courts on the park, two of which are tarmac and four which are grass. These are the only grass courts within the city's parks and open spaces. When the outdoor pool is operational, the courts need to be hired and bookings can be made at the outdoor pool or by calling 01223 302579. During the closed season, October through to April, only the tarmac courts are available and can be used free of charge on a first come, first serve basis.
Christ's Pieces
Christ's Pieces is situated in the centre of the City, bordered by the bus station, Christ's College, Emmanuel Road and King Street.
It is of typical Victorian park design with tree lined avenues.
The formal seasonal bedding displays planted in the 'petal beds' near Emmanuel Road, provide all year round colour.
There are also large ornamental shrub beds around the perimeter to add further year round colour and interest.
In 1884 Jesus College announced that it was willing to sell its interests in Christ's Pieces on the understanding that they were acquired "for the purpose of a public garden or recreation ground and for no other reason whatsoever". The original offer of £500 was refused by the College, but two years later the land was brought by Cambridge City Council for £1000. In that same year, 1886, the park was drained and planted.
On the 22nd of September 1999 the new rose garden, in memory to Diana, Princess of Wales, was dedicated by the Bishop of Huntingdon and officially opened by the Mayor of Cambridge. It was designed and implemented "in house" by Cambridge City Council.
Christ's Pieces and New Square form a link between the historic City centre and the modern Grafton shopping centre.
New Square was once used as a car-park, but was put back to grass, when the new car-parks at the Grafton Centre opened.
There are over 10,000 daffodil bulbs planted in the grass, providing an array of colour in the Spring months. The most recent planting took place in November 1999 when 5,000 bulbs were planted as a millennium Field of Hope for recognition of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Facilities on Christ's Pieces include toilets with disabled facilities and a refreshment kiosk that is open all year round.
Christ's Pieces' bowling green is host to the City of Cambridge Bowls Club.
There are four free tennis courts that are very popular in the Summer.
Situated next to the the tennis courts, in the North West corner, is a play area. This play area has been modernised in December 2006, being relocated just outside the old area.
The play equipment has been updated using a combination of new innovative design and more traditional, but still very popular pieces. The old play area is now used as an informal play space and picnic area.
Paradise
This small, low lying reserve is on the northern side bank of the River Cam as it enters the City. It is a fragment of semi-natural habitat that used to be common on the margins of the Cam.
The reserve is on the flood plain of the Cam, with frequent winter inundations making this a wet and muddy wood, safe from building development.
Paradise Island to the South East of the nature reserve is owned by AF Pemberton of the Trumpington Farm Company. Part of the reserve used to be known as Paradise Tennis Courts on the University Hockey Grounds.
In the Winter of 1999-2000 extensive work was carried out in Paradise Nature Reserve. Clearance of overhanging trees from footpaths, to allow unimpeded access to the site. Pollarding and coppicing of willows to increase their potential life span and 50 hazel whips were planted along with a rural hedgerow. The overhanging branches were chipped and used to surface muddy paths.
Parkers Piece
Parkers Piece is one of the best known open spaces in Cambridge. Located in the centre of the City it is bordered by Park Terrace, Regent Terrace, Parkside and Gonville Place.
The associated fame derives from the early 1800’s and a group of students establishing a common set of simple football rules emphasising skill above force. In 1863 these ‘Cambridge Rules’ became the defining influence on Football Association Rules, the most fundamental of which are still practised today.
Its origin is derived from an Edward Parker, a cook, who held the original lease to the land, which at the time was used as grazing land. Today it is used for both formal and informal recreation and sporting activities.
Acquired by the City from Trinity College in 1613 in exchange for an area of land now forming the college paddocks. Its name is derived from Edward Parker, a cook by profession, who held the lease of the land at the time of the transaction.
It has been host to several large feasts and festivals in the past. Such as the one to celebrate the allies entry in to Paris called the "The Return of Peace" in 1814, with 6,000 participants and viewed by a further 15,000 spectators. In 1838 17,000 spectators and 15,000 guests gathered to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Victoria.
Before the Second World War, there were traditional Good Friday celebrations on the Piece, said to mark the publicans' day out. Youngsters amused themselves skipping with ropes normally used to secure the barrels on the brewers' wagons.
The gas lamp at the cross roads of the paths, erected in 1893, was nicknamed during the 1960's by students as "Reality Checkpoint" and is still known by this today. It is also listed on English Natures' statutory list of listed objects.
Modern day history saw the first rules of Association Football pinned to a tree on the "Piece". Jack Hobbs, the Cambridge born English cricketer, played on the Pieces' cricket wickets.
On New Years Eve, 1999, 40,000 people gathered to celebrate the new Millennium. Celebrations included live music, a fun fair and a spectacular firework display.
Adjacent to the North East corner of Parkers Piece is Petersfield. Thought to be named after Lord Gwydir. Prior to 1900 the land was used for allotments and grazing wild stock.
Surrounded my mature trees and shrub beds it is now home to a play area and it is somewhere quiet to sit and relax.
Lammas Land
Located to the South West of the City about half a mile from the centre, it is bordered by Fen Causeway and Newnham Road.
During the First World War the site was used as allotments in the 1920's the rights of common land were extinguished and the land was laid out for passive recreation.
A very popular park in the summer primarily because of its paddling pool and large play area. There are large areas of mown grass which are ideal for picnics and sun bathing.
The area has many ancient willows, traditionally managed by pollarding. A form of pruning which enables regenerative growth.
In addition to the paddling pool and play area, Lammas Land hosts a hard surface tennis court and a bowling green, this is currently home to the Newnham Bowls Club.
The public toilets are located by the paddling pool.
There is a recycling centre situated in the South East corner and is accessible via Newnham Road. It is the most used in the city and is capable of taking a variety of household wastes.
Sheeps Green is situated to the West of Coe Fen and runs along the West bank of the River Cam.
It is an ideal place to walk along the river and get away from the busy City streets.
For six months of the year, April to October, Sheeps Green is grazed on by cattle and at times horses.
Sheeps Green has an outdoor learner pool which is open to the public in the Summer months.
If you have any comments or questions, please email parks@cambridge.gov.uk.