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King Edward Memorial Park is a public open space in Shadwell, within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, on the northern bank of the River Thames. It was opened in 1922 in memory of King Edward VII.〔(Shadwell: Opening of King Edward Memorial Park, 1922 ) (photo), Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archive〕 With an area of 3.3 hectares, it is the 11th largest park in Tower Hamlets.〔(King Edward Memorial Park Management Plan 2007-2017 ), Tower Hamlets Council〕 Along with a few others in the borough, it has received the Green Flag Award for quality, and is considered to have good biodiversity value.〔(Parks ), Tower Hamlets Council. Retrieved 17 December 2010〕 The park includes a bandstand, waterfront benches, children's play area, bowling green, all weather football pitch and tennis courts. The paths and public toilets are accessible to wheelchair users.〔(King Edward Memorial Park ), Tower Hamlets Council〕 The Thames Path passes through the park.〔(King Edward Memorial Park - Green Flag Award )〕 ==History== King Edward Memorial Park was opened in 1922 by King George V and Queen Mary with the following dedication: "In grateful memory of King Edward VII. This park is dedicated to the use and enjoyment of the people of East London for ever."〔 http://savekemp.com/documents.html〕 The Park proved to be a huge asset to the community from its very first day. In his first-hand account of the opening in 1922, George Jones writes: “The ‘New Park’ proved to be an absolute bonus to the whole community and its planning was of the highest order, using the contours of levels and slopes down from The Highway to that new excellent promenade by the riverside amply provided with many bench seats and popular with senior citizens. Seen from the upper levels the huge vista of the then very busy Thames was an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour and activity, of wharves and cranes and ships from all nations.” 〔(The opening of the park ), Save KEMP〕 The site of the park itself is steeped in history. In May 1533, Sir Hugh Willoughby set off from what is now the park with three ships in search for the Northeast Passage to India.〔(Knowledge Of London )〕 Nowadays a stone and plaque placed near the listed Rotherhithe Rotunda commemorate Willoughby’s courageous enterprise. The Shadwell Fish Market was opened in 1885 in the area where the park is now. It didn’t do very well however and the land became used for informal football matches and a play area by local children. A report in The East London Observer on 23 December 1911, gives a report of a planning committee meeting about the setting up of the King Edward Memorial Park. Proposals and sketches of the plans appeared the next year. King George and Queen Mary both attended the official opening on 24 June 1922. In the printed order of proceedings for the opening it stated that the Queen would give a speech. ‘Her Majesty will … declare the park open to the public for ever.’ The park is famous for its unrestricted views of the river, for its amenities〔(Green Flag Awards ) 〕 and its biodiversity value〔 (Trees for Cities ) 〕 that has won it the Green Flag Award several times. Placed at the crossroads of four Tower Hamlets wards (Shadwell, Wapping, Limehouse and Stepney), King Edward VII Memorial Park is the only riverside park between Tower Hill and the Isle of Dogs and the only green space available in this portion of the Borough. Local schools use it for their sports days, religious festivals take place there and it is overall the focal point of the lives of four vibrant communities.〔 The importance of King Edward VII Memorial Park for the locals is shown by the number of memorials in the park. Shadwell Park is so dear to the communities around it that many people choose to have their memorials there. The park benches on the riverfront are always adorned with flowers in remembrance of beloved family members and also many trees have been planted in honour of local people now passed. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「King Edward Memorial Park」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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