Ornamental Pool, Rowntree Park, York

South of York city centre, on the west bank of the River Ouse, can be found Rowntree Park. It was opened on the 16th of July 1921, as a gift to the people of York from the Rowntree Family and it was “intended to serve as a perpetual memorial to the members of the Cocoa works staff that fell and suffered in the War”. Rowntree stated he wanted the park to “afford many rest and recreation from the turmoil and stress of life, and bring health and happiness to a large number of young lives”. From that day on, the park was owned and managed by York City Council.

The ornamental pool has recently seen a dramatic change. Until quite recently, the plinth carried a sculpture of Mercury, the messanger with winged feet. Gale force winds blew it off the plinth, but fortunately it was recovered with virtually no damage and it will be put back on its plinth.

As you can see, there is a little ice still on the surface of the pool. It was quite a cool morning when I had my walk there yesterday.

Ian

[carol white]

A lovely memorial and lovely setting.Fav😊

[Margaret Brown]

Such a nice memorial park. Must have looked nice complete with Mercury on the plinth.

[Judith Johnson]

What a beautiful and fitting memorial. Yes it was a cold day here too.

[Vesna]

Nice place.

[gloria jones]

A fine memorial and setting.

[Peter Dulis]

Nice

[william wooderson]

I hope you get to take a pic of Mercury soon too!

[Pyrrhula]

Great shot of this nice place.

[bkb in the city]

Very nice shot

[Kathy A]

I remember visiting this pool in 2014.

[Kerry McCarthy]

How thoughtful of Rowntree to dedicate this to acknowledge the hard work of people often overlooked. Lovely shot.

[Fisher Family]

@carolmw @craftymeg @busylady @vesna0210 @seattlite @pdulis @will_wooderson @pyrrhula @bkbinthecity @kjarn @mccarth1

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

I had intended to post a photo of the sculpture Mercury from my photo archive, but it seems that I don't have a digital image of it. Hopefully it won't be too long before it is put back in place and I can get a shot of it.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@kjarn

I remember you telling us a little about your visit. If there are any places in York that you visited that you would like an up to date photo of, let me know and I will see what I can do.

Ian