Western Boulevard, Westcotes
This new, modern park is located in the Bede Island/Castle Park area of Leicester. It is flanked by the old River Soar and Grand Union Canal.
The park is 1.9 hectares in size and contains a Mediterranean style plaza, offering seating around a central performance space and both toddler and junior play areas. The latter features one of the largest slides of its kind in the UK. Both play areas are dog free. There is a large open space suitable for a wide variety of leisure uses and the boundaries of the park are planted with a pleasing mix of ornamental shrubs.
For more information contact: Parks Services
Map of leicester parks
Bede Park was opened in 1999 having been developed as part of the City Challenge programme. As a result Bede Island has been transformed from an area with a heavy industrial profile to a vibrant, desirable district that combines housing, recreation and business.
The park overlooks The Mile Straight, a fine stretch of water created as part of a flood prevention scheme in the late 19th century. The park also forms part of the Leicester City Council’s award winning Riverside Park, a 12 mile green corridor along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal, giving access to fascinating places that demonstrate the City’s cultural heritage.
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The plaza is separated from the main park by a contemporary screen depicting a set of half open curtains, framing views into the park.
There are several pieces of public art on the park commissioned by Public Art Leicester and City Challenge in 1999:
- ‘Making a Place’ resembles a large role of carpet with a map of central Leicester around it. Artists: Chloe Cookson and Rory McNally.
- ‘Signs of Life’ depicts the human need to mark the landscape leaving evidence of past lives. Artists: Wallscapes – Gary Drostle and Rob Turner.
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Less than five minutes from Leicester City centre, the park is easily accessed from Western Boulevard or Bonners Lane off Oxford Street.
However, the park is an important part of Leicester’s ‘green network’ and is easily accessible from the City’s Riverside Park by a network of waterways, cycle ways and footpaths. Cycling the Great Central Way
The park is flat and has tarmac pathways throughout.
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