Friends of Alexandra Park is a group of local residents which was set up in 2001 to help raise the profile of the Park, to help change the image of the Park and to help raise funds for the improvement of the Park. We encourage people to make greater use of the Park, we help the Park staff, and we arrange and support events throughout the year.
The Park already has facilities for football, cricket and tennis, a large children's play area, a lake with an abundance of wildlife, a woodland walk, and miles of pathways set in a mature landscape. Alexandra Park was created in the 1870's, and was the first truly public park within the Manchester area. The Heritage Lottery Fund has shown a great interest in our Park, and a bid has been put together for the regeneration and the 'putting back to its Victorian splendour' of this wonderful Park.
The Restoration of Alexandra Park, Manchester (Download)
Meetings
Our group meets on the last Tuesday of every second month at 7.00pm at the Park Manager's office (near to the Princess Road entrance). Everyone is welcome! Please do come along.
Forthcoming meetings: Tuesday 27 July 2010 at the Park Manager's Office 7pm - entry by Russell St.
Following meetings: tbc.
Events
The Park is used by organised sports groups, including local football and cricket teams, and running clubs. The Friends group organises a number of events throughout the year, including an Easter Egg Hunt and Teddy Bear’s Picnic for families, and sports and other events for the various communities in Whalley Range and Moss Side. We also organise regular bulb planting and clean-up days in the Park. The Park also hosts two annual Carnivals.
Health walks: every Wednesday 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Meet at Alexandra Road South/Claremont Road entrance.
The 5k Runs in the Park on the first Sunday of every month. These are Fun Runs open to all and suitable for all abilities. You can either pre-enter or enter on the day. Organised by Open Athletics. Contact: Anna 077 09 000 436 or email: alexandrapark5k"at"openathletics.org
Make a Wish Day 26 September 2010 This is also one of our regular annual events. Come and Write a wish on a card and attach it to a ballon then send it off with the wind to see if the wish will come true. Usually from 1pm till 3pm outside the Children's Playground near Princess Road. Event flyer
Teddy Bears Picnic
This is one of our regular annual events. Starts at 1pm approx. by the Children's Playground. Teddy Bear colouring competition, Teddy Bear Raffle (to raise funds for The Friends fo Alexandra Park), and Best Dressed Teddy competition. Open to all family, bring your picnic! See 2010 Event Flyer.
Free workshops in Alexandra Park (spring 2010)
Alexandra Park is in Whalley Range and is currently subject for a Heritage Lottery Funding bid, being led by Manchester City Council. Winning the bid would mean a restoration of the parks facilities. During Sprin 2010 we run a series of workshops aimed to develop a consultation dialogue with park users by using creativity to encourage participation and generate interest in its future development. The outcomes were to provide a grass roots context to inform the Heritage Lottery Funding bid's restoration plans. See Event flyer
Newsletters
The Newsletters will keep you informed of events that have taken place, events to be held in the future, and general news about the Park.
Parkside Newsletter No. 10 (2009)
Parkside Newsletter No. 09 (Autumn-Winter 2008)
Parkside Newsletter No. 05
Parkside Newsletter No. 04
If you have an event you want to publicise in our Newsletter please contact our editor Phil Trafford @ info'at'friendsofalexandrapark.org.uk
Get In Touch
If you would like more information, or would like to get involved, please get in touch with us.
Contact Paul on 0161 226 3117
info'at'friendsofalexandrapark.org.uk
or write to us: Friends of Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park Office
180 Russell Street
Moss Side
Manchester
M16 7JL
We, the Friends of Alexandra Park, are:
Paul Benson-Hannam - Chair
Phil Benson-Hannam - Vice-Chair and Newsletter Editor
Will Peters - Treasurer
Sue Langford - Publicity
Anna Vergés - Web
Plus, of course, our committed group members and the Park Office staff:
Steve Hales (Park Manager)
Steve North (Development Officer, Manchester City Council).