Welcome to Parks Square

Welcome to Parks Square. . Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside Service maintains 6 public spaces in the city centre. They provide a peaceful haven for workers, shoppers and visitors to the city where an al fresco lunch may be enjoyed or simply to enjoy a breath of fresh air. Often hidden away, why not take a look at the map and perhaps visit one of the other green oasises or take in one of the many cultural activities in Millennium Square., (1) Woodhouse Square. In 1840 John Atkinson, a solicitor of Little Woodhouse Hall, laid out this square in the grounds of Claremont, the 18th century house surviving above it. Originally a private park for the residents of the Square, it became a public open space in 1905 when a was leased to Leeds City Council by the owners Wade's Trust. The sloping garden was dug out in 1941 for a wartime emergency water tank. A statue, of former Mayor and engineer Sir Peter Fairbairn stands at the south east corner, while former Lord Mayor Mary Pearce is commemorated by a wall plaque in the garden., (2) Hanover Square. In I823 Hanover Square was set out by stuff merchant George Rawson in the extensive grounds of Denison Hall. Built in 1786, and still dominating its northern edge, Rawson's residential development was based round a central private garden designed and advertised by Joshua Major in 1828. The garden was gifted to Leeds Corporation in 1955 for public use. Railings removed during the Second World War were restored in 1995. The bowling green of 1912 became a tennis court in the 1930s and was converted to a five a side football pitch in 1997., (3) Park Square. Laid out in 1788, at the height of the fashion for garden squares, this development was originally bordered by high quality homes. By the mid 19th century they had given way to offices, factories and warehouses the most striking of which, St Paul's House, was built in 1878 in a Hispano-Moorish style. The central statue of Circe (1894) by Alfred Drury, was moved to the square from the Art Gallery., (4) Merrion Street Gardens. Owned by Wades Charity, this Garden of Rest was first opened in 1932 as a memorial to Thomas Wade. Although the charity still owns the garden it is now maintained by Leeds City-Council for quiet recreation. The garden is located to the north of St John the Evangelist, the oldest surviving church in the city, and has recently undergone a series of improvements including new layout of lawns and flower beds, improved access and new furniture., (5) Millenium Square. Built between 1999 and 2001 and located right at the heart of the civic quarter, this square forms an impressive back-drop for a whole host of exciting cultural events. Sustainability has been integrated into the design with such features as an irrigation scheme to water the plants and shrubs which soften the hard landscaping., (6) Queen Square. Surrounded by Georgian terrace houses this quiet well hidden square is probably unknown to many residents and visitors to Leeds. The terraced houses surrounding the square now form part of the Leeds Metropolitan University campus.