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17 May 2016 Stuart superUser 59742

Trails and Nature, Parks, Outdoor Active Spaces and Play Areas, Access for All, Toilets and Refreshments

Bitts Park (CA3 8UL)

The park is a peaceful haven only 800 metres from the City Centre, comprising formal gardens, riverside walks, children’s play area and splash park (operates 11am-6pm), running routes and sports facilities.

Facilities

Park Features

Carlisle City Council provide a variety of activities within the park:

Play Area – large and well-appointed play area catering for children of all ages and abilities
Splash Park – interactive water feature located within the play area (please note only active between Easter – October, temperature dependent)
Skate Park – large and robust area located to the west of Carlisle Castle
Running Routes – a running/walking route of three optional distances is way marked throughout the park
Outdoor gym facility
Toilet facilities (open between 9am and 5pm)
Flat surfaced paths providing circular routes throughout the park
Hadrains Wall National Trail runs along the riverside boundary of the park

Bitts Park includes several distinct areas:

Victoria Park – a combination of formal lawns and floral displays with a large statue of Queen Victoria as it’s centrepiece
The Hollow – sunken area adjacent to Hardwicke Circus and Eden Bridge, with spectacular rhododendron displays and golden weeping willow trees
Garden of Memories – small formal area for quiet reflection, created in partnership with Eden Valley Hospice
Riverside Trail – tranquil area of mature trees and vegetation managed for the benefit of wildlife, here you can see one of the Eden benchmark sculptures
Large playing fields, used for kicking a ball about, pinicing and home to large events such as outdoor concerts and the fireshow.

Park history:

Bitts Park was the very first public park to be established in Carlisle. Some of the paths date back to 1818, and were built by unemployed weavers to form a riverside walkway beside the River Eden.
In 1893 the park on the site of a former rubbish tip was opened and called the Peoples Park. It was later extended and renamed The Bitts, the ‘Bitts’ were thought to be small parcels of land which were used for grazing
The Queen Victoria Monument - Standing on her pedestal in the formal area of the park, Queen Victoria has been watching over the people of Carlisle since 7th May 1902, just over a year after she died. The final cost of the statue was £1500

Play area details:

Age range play area equipment aimed at : 0 - mid teens
Accessible equipment : Yes, wheelchair accessible swing, trampoline, play panels, musical instruments, splash park plus various inclusive play items.
Is the play area fenced : Yes

Opening Times