ARBORETUM
ARBORETUM DEVELOPMENT
Late last century the Arboretum was in a state of neglect with many of its buildings dilapidated. Frequent vandalism and other criminal activity made many potential visitors afraid to visit the park.
Derby City Council consulted residents and found that although people were reluctant to visit it in its run-down state, most valued the park and were aware of its history. Funding was obtained from the Heritage Lottery, the Council and other sources and the park was restored to its former glory early in 2007.
The park is included in the English Register of Parks and Gardens and attracts Visitors from all over the world. At each entrance to the park, a “Welcome Panel” explains the park’s importance to visitors.
The park’s main entrances are on Reginald Street, Grove Street, Rosehill Street and Arboretum Square, off Osmaton Road.
HISTORY
Joseph Strutt, a local mill owner and the first Mayor of the Reformed Borough wished to give the people of Derby a free “Pleasure Ground” for exercise and relaxation.
He commissioned John Claudius Loudon a renowned writer and garden designer to draw up the plans. Loudon laid the park out with mounds planted with trees and shrubs to disguise the paths and park boundaries.
This was done to give the illusion of more space. To encourage people to walk all around the 11-acre site, where no two species of tree or shrub were the same.
On Thursday 17 September 1840, Joseph Strutt handed over the deeds of the Arboretum to the town council, in Derby. This was followed by a large procession from the town hall to the Arboretum, which marked the beginning of three days of public festivities, following the birth of England’s first public park. Following restoration in 2007, the park remains popular to this day.