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Sutton Park was sold on 9th May 1903 to St.Helens Council
(then St.Helens Corporation) for the princely sum of £2,628.
The owner, Colonel Michael Hughes insisted upon attaching a deed of covenant to the
park. It was important to him that the character of the area would not be affected.
Part of the covenant stipulates that it is for "the recreational use of the people of
St.Helens," and includes certain restrictions including the prevention of ‘steam driven
merry go rounds.’
When St.Helens Corporation took over the park as part of the clause they also agreed to
construct entrance gates which must “be of a handsome type with pillars of stone of a
massive character and be maintained as such forever.”
Plans were submitted for the pillars and gates, which would be of cast iron and over 14” wide.
The work was done for less than £53.00 and the entrance remained ‘handsome’ for many years.
It is believed that unfortunately the gates were removed in wartime and melted down for munitions. Even more unfortunately they were never replaced.
St.Helens Corporation did a lot of work on the park over the following years incorporating, a lodge, drinking fountain, bandstand and bowling greens. Then in 1924 hard courts were constructed.
"Aerial view of Sutton Park, early 1900's"
His wishes have been maintained through the years and Sutton Park is still essentially a small but much loved, much used park.
It is used by the local community for a multitude of activities from basketball and football to bowls, cricket and rounder’s or just simply walking the dog or relaxing in the quiet open space.
