Infamously known for its “rats, mosquitoes, stagnation, ooze, mud and odours’’, this part of Southampton once had a very bad reputation.
Today Freemantle Lake Park is a haven of greenery and open space in the centre of the city’s urban landscape.
A recent Daily Echo feature from SeeSouthampton looked into the history of Freemantle, but now we take a look into the transformation of one of its prettiest locales.
Read more: How much do you know about Freemantle, Southampton? >>>
The area was designated as an open space by local authorities as early as 1938.
Eventually, the site was acquired in 1949, drained, and filled in. Without the help of British American Tobacco, which provided many tons of soil to the project, it would have taken much longer.
In fact, it took until 1956 before Freemantle Lake Park was finally free from what the Civic Centre itself described as “rats, mosquitoes, stagnation, ooze, mud and odours’’, but not before the groundsman, Mr RLH Dennis, had removed almost 40 tons of stones from the park.
Exactly 20 years after the area was designated a public space, civic leaders were able to gather and declare the park officially open.
The mayor, Alderman Richmond Hammond, cut a white ribbon and the mayoress planted a tulip tree watched by children from local schools.
Among the spectators were more than 100 pupils from schools including Foundry Lane junior boys and girls, Freemantle junior mixed and infants, Tanner’s Brook junior mixed, Regent’s Park secondary boys and secondary girls, and Western secondary mixed.
The chairman of the Public Lands Committee, Eddie Lyons, welcomed visitors and said it had been hoped to open the park earlier, but circumstances hadn't been favourable, and it had been wise to wait.
According to Lyons, after the site was reserved in 1938, the lake overflowed, and maintenance was impossible because it was used as a static water supply during the Second World War.
Complaints about mosquitoes and the dumping of rubbish led to further investigation and finally, it was resolved to acquire the lake and carry out the necessary drainage.
The project cost £15,858 and involved about 5,000 loads of materials, as well as planting 1,275 trees and shrubs.
Alderman Hammond said: “I hope all those who use the park will find pleasure and happiness in it, old people as well as mothers and children.
“Those who follow will bless the council for providing such a beautiful park.’’ Head girl of Foundry Lane junior girls’ school, ten-year-old, Patricia Skelton presented the mayor with a buttonhole saying: “On behalf of the children of this town I thank you for opening this park.
“We look forward to playing here and will try never to spoil its beauty.’’
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