Stratford Park
Stratford Park is a 56 acre park located just outside the centre of Stroud, with a great range of facilities to suit all kinds of recreation. The park has won the Green Flag Award on multiple occasions by Keep Britain Tidy and also a Special Innovation Award winner for Community involvement.
A brief history of Stratford Park
In April 1935 the Stratford Park estate, including the grounds and mansion house was purchased by the then Stroud Urban District Council (one of the predecessors of Stroud District Council).
The bowling green and tennis courts were developed first, followed by the outdoor pool (lido) in 1937. The first head groundsman took up residence in the mansion house (now the Museum in the Park which opened in 2001).
In 1975 the Leisure Centre building was opened within the grounds of the park to provide a whole new range of leisure provisions for the people of Stroud.
Stratford Park facilities
Stratford Park includes a leisure centre (including an outdoor pool and tennis courts), museum, play area, skate park, lawn bowling green, children's nursery, miniature railway, arboretum/woodland, lake, bandstand and free parking.
Stratford Park parkrun
Stratford Park parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am year-round starting near to the bandstand. The parkrun aims to encourage people to jog or run together irrespective of their ability. Parkrun is not a race against other runners, but an informal 5km timed run.
Registration is free on the parkrun website at www.parkrun.org.uk. Registration only needs to be done once and is then valid at any parkrun event in the world.
Other parkruns nearby
Stratford Park play area
Stratford Park has a large and varied children's play area for children between 4-11 years. Set on the large grass area at the rear of the centre, the area has climbing frames, slides, swings, runways, activity frames and springers. The play area is complimented with seating for adults and children, which makes the area ideal for family picnics. The area is managed in accordance with the European play safety guidelines and is maintained by the on-site ground staff.