Miller Park, Preston

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Miller Park is a public park under the managemenet of Preston City Council. It is located on the banks of the River Ribble in Preston, Lancashire in the north west of England. The park is one of two city centre Victorian era parks in Preston, the other being its neighbour, the larger Avenham Park. It was designed and built in the 1860's and has matured over the last 140 years in to one of the most attractive parks in the region. As an English Heritage Grade 2 listed park, it features a number of Historical structures including the Sundial, Grotto, Earl of Derby Statue and magnificent Fountain. The two parks are separated by the East Lancashire Railway embankment and access is through the Ivy Bridge and along Riverside Walk. The East Lancashire Railway line closed in the 1970s although the viaduct across the river, which is a Grade II listed building, remains.

The park was designed by Edward Milner as a 'Harmonious Whole' including the adjacent Avenham Park. This park is more formal than its neighbour and includes beautiful bedding displays, a Rose Garden and the regal Derby Walk, all of which is maintained by Preston City Council's Horticultural Services. Bound to the west by an embankment carrying Preston's main rail link, the West Coast Main Line, and to the east by another embankment which carried the East Lancashire Railway line until the 1970s. It is overlooked by Lancashire County Council offices spread between the former Park Hotel and an adjacent (and rather ugly) concrete office block.

Apart from this office block, the appearance of the park has hardly changed since it was first laid out; the only other modern construction, a brick toilet block, was demolished in March 2006. An 1889 map[1] still provides an accurate representation of the park's layout.

[edit] Proposed developments

As part of a multi-million pound Heritage Lottery Funded restoration project, both Avenham and Miller Park will see a facelift over the next few years. The refurbishment will include restoration of all of the historical features (including The Fountain, Derby Walk etc), improved lighting and footpaths, vehicle controls and a new Pavilion in Avenham Park that will have a Cafe, better public toilets and will incorporate a police post as well as being a base for dedicated Parks staff. The old stage, which was removed in early 2006, will be replaced by a small performance area and the facilities to install temporary concert stages like those used at music festivals throughout the country. These improvements will help the park become cleaner, safer and provide more events and activities for the people of Preston.