Welcome to the green flag award winning Crossley Park a little oasis in the centre of Ripley.
Crossley Park has been open to the public for over a hundred years. The park is a hive of activity in the mornings with people walking their dogs and chatting to each other. The play area is always in use with children of all ages enjoying the play equipment, and during the summer months the new interactive water play facility is full to bursting with local children and grown-ups alike running through the spraying water.
There is an abundance of beautiful mature trees and an excellent display of horse chestnut trees which surround the bandstand. The borders contain a selection of shrubs and herbaceous plants providing a natural habitat for wildlife.
Click on the links below to read more.
The park is open daily from 8.00am and closes at dusk.
The land was originally owned by the Crossley family who donated it to Ripley Town in 1901 at which time it became known as the Central Recreation Ground. Over the years improvement works were carried out and the park was re-opened on the 6th May 1935.
The Crossley family donated further funding in 1937 to enable a bandstand to be constructed in memory of those who died during WWI and was formally opened on Coronation Day 1937. A new bandstand was built in 1999 following a fire in 1997 which completely destroyed the original bandstand.
Amber Valley Borough Council commissioned a sun dial to be built to commemorate the Millennium.
In November 2014 a rededication ceremony was held to commemorate 100 years of world War 1 which included the installation of the new War Memorial surrounding the bandstand.
Play area - the park has a well-equipped play area suitable for all ages.
Water play facility – in May 2014 the old and dated paddling pool was replaced with a new water play facility. Come along during the summer months and enjoy this free facility operating between 10.00am – 6.00pm (the times may vary due to inclement weather or maintenance)
Circular path - a tarmac path runs around the park and links the various features together and provides a circular walk.
Central green area – this is used for a variety of activities and has a small set of goal posts.
Toilet – are available Monday to Friday from the end of March through to the end of October. For the remainder of the year the toilets will be open when the park keeper is in attendance.
Bandstand – this is located at the bottom end of the park and is host to band concerts throughout the summer months.
World War I Memorial - to commemorate the centenary of World War I ten stone plinths have been installed around the bandstand. Set into these plinths are mosaics designed by local school children showing their images of WWI.
The park can be accessed from School Lane, Albert Street and through the Borough Council car park on Cromford Road.
Parking is available in the pay & display car park on Cromford Road, Ripley DE5 3FP. Further parking is available at weekends in the council car park located off Cromford Road.
No scheduled events at this time.
To view all event applications for the borough's parks and gardens, or to apply for your own event please view our events on council land page. Alternatively please contact the landscapes team on 01773 841542.
The park is owned by Amber Valley Borough Council and is managed by the landscape services department.
There is an active friends group who help raise funds and support the events.
The borough council are always keen to promote positive use of the site and a good park user guide is visible at all entrances to the park.
For further information please contact landscape services on 01773 841570.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841335 or email envadmin@ambervalley.gov.uk
