Nottingham Highfields Park
This This park lies to the west of the city centre off University Boulevard between Dunkirk and Beeston. It was gifted to the people of Nottingham by Jesse Boot of Boots the Chemists who's bust stands at the central entrance looking towards the factory he built about a mile away. The park is dominated by the beautiful Trent Building of the University that overlooks the lake.
This park, like so many others, has not been maintained to the standard that it once was and the gardens, stream and particularly the water garden and stepping stone area at the west end of the lake are in a sorry state compared to the 1950's & 60's. Nevertheless, it is still a very beautiful park and well worth visiting for a stroll. There is a children's play area, putting green, refreshment facilities and boats for hire on the lake. Unfortunately the old motor launch 'Maid Marian' no longer takes visitors for trips as it is out of action again. This boat was in service when I was a small child and whilst it was rescued and restored by a kind private benefactor just a few years back, it has again been allowed to fall into disrepair. Unfortunately too, the paddling pool, much loved and used by my generation is no longer in use . It still stands as a weed ridden monument, a victim of the Health & Safety gone mad culture we are subjected to today. However, one big and positive gain in recent years was the opening up of a public footpath along the north shore of the lake, thus creating a very pleasant circular walk that allows visitors to enjoy the views from the far side and to pass by the sandstone rock face with its cave.
It should be noted that Highfields Park is a separate entity to the University Park that is located on the north of the lake, and that Nottingham University has no responsibility for its maintenance, or rather lack of it.
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