Wycombe from A-Z: P is for Parks

To break up the urban jungle several areas of countryside have been tamed and turned into open parkland.

There are four main parks in the Wycombe District.

At 25 hectares (or 61.7 acres in proper measurement) Hughenden Park situated on the A4128 Hughenden Road is the largest.

There is also West Wycombe Park, the Rye and Higginson Park in Marlow.

Higginson Park covers an area of 23 acres and has been opened to the public since 1926 although there has been a garden on the site since 1758.

Situated at the end of Marlow High Street it is easily accessible and over the course of a year attracts around 1 million visitors.

The Rye is located beside the A40 London Road and covers an area of 22 hectares (that’s 53 acres in proper measurement) and is the third largest park in the Wycombe District.

The Rye is only one hectare smaller than Higginson Park in Marlow and three smaller than Hughenden Park.

No matter where you are in Wycombe a park is no more than a few minutes drive away indeed the Rye is in easy walking distance from our magnificent High Street and it is quite possible to get there and back in a lunchtime.

Our parks are so good they have even won awards. Aren't we really lucky to have such magnificent facilities so close?

While the Rye is one large open space the other two parks are divided up into 'rooms' that help to create different atmospheres in the various parts of the park.

Maybe the Rye should be re-modelled to break up the monotony of open space too?

All the parks have one thing in comment, rivers run through or close to them which adds to the spectacle and magnificence of the open spaces.

I only wish more use was made of the open spaces that we have.

Why not hold more concerts, shows and other events in our parks to encourage people out of their houses and into the wonderful open spaces?

Until recently the Rye was the location for the annual Wycombe show but sadly that has not been held for many years now.

I find the demise of the show a real shame after all we may have the open spaces but we are lacking in the events to use them to their full potential.

What do you think?

*Maybe you would like to suggest other suitable topics for letters of the alphabet? If you have any ideas on what you think the letter 'Q' should stand for just leave a comment and let me know.

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