Victoria Park (Warrington)
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Victoria Park is located at Latchford in Warrington, UK. It borders the Black Bear Park.
The site that today is Victoria Park was originally the Old Warps Estate. In 1897 the local council bought the estate from the owners and converted it into a park to try and improve conditions for the local working-class people of the terraced housing of industrial Latchford. To mark the Jubilee of Queen Victoria the park was named "Victoria Park".
Before work on the Mersey commenced, Victoria Park was under the River Mersey, in an area that was considered dangerous by even the most experienced seamen. In 1724 various new weirs were built along the course of the River Mersey due to its often treacherous nature. The course of the Mersey was then altered and the land was converted into the Old Warps Estate.
Access to Howley is provided by a suspension bridge (which is starting to show its age).
The park itself has a large running track which is the home of Warrington Athletic Club, bowling facitilies, a skate-park and various other leisure facilities. Old Manor Lock marks the northern extreme of the park.
The skate-park within Victoria park has approximately 40 visitors each day and is used by skateboarders, roller-skaters, BMXers and mountain bikes. It has four main sections (three of which are bowls) and one main flat part. It also houses one ramp of approximately 10ft, which is mainly used by inline-skaters.