Meath gardens

Meath Gardens

Meath Gardens, located in Bethnal Green, East London, is a historic park that has undergone significant transformations since its establishment. Originally the Victoria Park Cemetery, it was converted into a public park in 1894 by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (MPGA), founded by Lord Brabazon, later known as the Earl of Meath. The park was officially opened by the Duke of York on July 20, 1894, and was renamed in honor of the Earl of Meath. (friendsofmeathgardens.org)

The cemetery, established in 1842, was initially well-managed but soon fell into disuse, becoming a "disgrace and a scandal" by the late 19th century. By 1876, it was closed to burials, with an estimated 100,000 bodies interred, nearly three-quarters of whom were children. (friendsofmeathgardens.org)

Today, Meath Gardens spans approximately 4.21 hectares and offers various facilities, including children's play equipment, basketball hoops, an outdoor gym, and a grass playing pitch. The park is also home to a memorial plaque commemorating Bripumyarrimin, known as King Cole, an Aboriginal cricketer who was part of the first Australian cricket team to tour England in 1868. He died during the tour and was buried in an unmarked grave in the cemetery. A commemorative plaque was set into the ground by the Aboriginal Cricket Association in 1988, and a further commemoration occurred in 2018 on the 150th anniversary of the tour. (en.wikipedia.org)

In 2015, the Friends of Meath Gardens (FoMG) was established by local residents to rejuvenate the park. They developed a landscape strategy with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, focusing on enhancing biodiversity and creating a space that the community can be proud of. Their efforts have led to the planting of hundreds of shrubs, bulbs, and native trees, and in 2016, the park was awarded a Green Flag Award, recognizing it as one of the best green spaces in the country. (friendsofmeathgardens.org)

Meath Gardens continues to serve as a valuable green space for the local community, offering recreational facilities and a rich history that reflects the area's transformation over the years.