Town Park

History

Enfield Town Park was purchased in 1902, by the then Enfield Urban District Council, for £13,000 and was opened to the public on 30th July 1902.

Town Park comprises of 9.5 hectares of land, including 0.2 hectares of the New River and its footpaths. The park was formed from the remnants of two private estates. The first of the private estates was originally a part of the ' Old Park ' area of Chase Park Estate, which is now Bush Hill Golf Course. Records show that the estate was owned by a Mr. Clayton around 1800 and later by Mr. Thomas Cotton in 1811. Mr. Browning purchased the estate in 1822 and built a mansion where the Magistrates Courts now stand in Windmill Hill. Ten years on Mr. Browning passed the estate on to his son-in-law, Mr. William Carr Esq, who had previously purchased 56 acres of adjoining land from a Mrs. Winchester Lewis.

The New River Company formed the ornamental water known as "Carr's Basin" on which William Carr had the right to fish and use a boat. Finally in 1859, Mr Francis Bryant Adams purchased the entire estate (comprising of 76 acres) for the sum of £15,000.

The second of the private estates comprised Chase Side House and land to the east of Enfield Library, which was on the site of the old house. This was owned by a Mr James Farrer Steadman. When he died his widow married a Mr. William Everett.

Mrs. Everett was well known in the area for her benevolence and hospitality. She actively encouraged celebrating May Day and other festivals by opening the grounds of their houses. In 1883 a font was dedicated to Mrs. Everett at St Mary Magdalene Church situated in Windmill Hill. After her death in 1865 the estate was purchased by Mr. Phillip Twells, an M.P. and banker for the City of London . The estate remained in the Twells family until the death of Mrs.Twell in 1901.  A section of the Estate was then purchased by Enfield Council to create Town Park .