Phoenix Park, Thurnscoe

Phoenix Park is a park in Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, England, that is currently owned by The Land Trust and maintained in partnership with The Conservation Volunteers.[1] It is built on the former site of Hickleton Main Colliery, which ran from 1892 until 1988 when it was closed.[2] The park is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) long.[1]

Phoenix Park
The Mining Monument overlooking the lower section of the park.
LocationThurnscoe
Coordinates53.5412°N 1.3069°W / 53.5412; -1.3069
AreaDearne Valley
OpenedNovember 2001
Operated byThe Conservation Volunteers

History
An aerial view of Hickleton Main Colliery from 1926.

Phoenix Park is built on the former site of Hickleton Main Colliery in Thurnscoe, which was one of the main coal mines situating the miners of Thurnscoe and Goldthorpe. It was open from 1892 until 1988, when it was closed.[2]

From 1991 until 1994, work was being done to clear the site and fill in the shafts underground.[2] After that work had been completed, plans were put forward by Yorkshire Forward to redevelop the site as a park with funds from the Homes and Communities Agency National Coalfield Programme. People from the local community including children from local schools designed most of the park's artwork. This artwork was then turned into models and sculptures by Groundwork Dearne Valley.[1] The park was opened in November 2001.[3]

Artwork

Phoenix Park has various forms of artwork around the park's area. Next to the entrance is a climbing wall which has artwork that references the area's mining history. There are various plaques around the park as well as a set of banners, stone sculptures as well as wooden sheep.[1] Two of the park's entrances also incorporate metal flower like sculptures, which have poems written by Mrs D. Chipp. An underpass at the most south part of the park runs below the A635 road and links Phoenix Park with Goldthorpe. In recent years, the local community (Goldthorpe & Bolton on Dearne Big Local) have repainted this underpass with the help of local children.[4]

The climbing wall at Phoenix Park, Thurnscoe.

References
  1. The Land Trust "Phoenix Park - The Land Trust", The Land Trust, 23 May 2019. Retrieved on 23 May 2019.
  2. Northern Mine Research Society "Hickleton Colliery - Northern Mine Research Society", Northern Mine Research Society, 23 May 2019. Retrieved on 23 May 2019.
  3. South Yorkshire Times "PHOENIX PARK RISES FROM PIT ASHES - South Yorkshire Times", South Yorkshire Times, 30 November 2001. Retrieved on 23 May 2019.
  4. "Big Local Projects Archives". Goldthorpe & Bolton on Dearne Big Local. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
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