Redhill Park is a recreation ground in Northbourne on the north side of Bournemouth, directly adjoining the heath of Redhill Common. The two have the same roots: both once formed part of the old Turbary Common, which the 1802 Christchurch Inclosure Act protected from development. The section with tennis courts, a playground and a bowls green was officially renamed Redhill Park in 1937, and the wilder part kept the name Redhill Common.
How the common became a park
A bowls pavilion followed in 1938, and for 80 years Redhill Park Bowling Club played its home games on the green, until declining membership and growing maintenance bills brought about its closure in 2017. In the Second World War the park served as a first aid post for air raid wardens, who sank a water tank into the ground; once peace returned, the tank was converted into a children's paddling pool, and the 1950s brought two football pitches and a second playground.
What's there now
The play area is the focus of the park today, with a paddling pool, a multiplay climbing frame, swings, a seesaw, a ball court and a small skate zone, and around it are football pitches, open playing fields and a café operated by The Parks Foundation. There is no charge to enter, the park opens every day, and cars can be parked on site.
The park belongs to the Five Parks charitable trust in Bournemouth (registered charity 299740), along with Redhill Common next door, Kings, Queens and Meyrick parks and Seafield Gardens. Our guide to things to do in Bournemouth lists more parks and family outings around the bay.
