Rowntree Park was given to the people of York by Rowntree and Company at the close of the First World War as a memorial to all those members of the Company's staff who lost their lives or suffered during the War.
The Park was especially designed to be a public park as well as a recreation ground and was essentially York's first municipal park.
It has recently been re-furbished and augmented with the aid of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. In 2004 the Park won a Green Flag Award, and this has been renewed each year since.
The Friends of Rowntree Park
The group was formed in 1996 to work with the Council on the refurbishment of the Park. In recent years two sub-groups have been formed for younger members: the Young Friends and the Very Young Friends. All three groups hold regular meetings in and around the Park.
In the spring the group holds an annual photography competition of the park. This year the theme of the competition is biodiversity.
Group members are sent news of events and other aspects of life in the park via newsletters. Membership costs just £4 per household per year.
More information, and a copy of the latest newsletter, can be found on the website: