Monkton Dene Park

Address: Valley View, Jarrow, NE32 5QT
Telephone number: 0191 427 7000

Facilities

  • Multi use games area
  • Open space
  • Play area

History

During World War 1, John Jarvis (1876 to 1950) from Surrey was an advisor to the government on labour relations and shortly afterwards visited Jarrow, which had been hit badly by the Great Depression. 

During the 1930s many people were unemployed and Jarvis launched an appeal named the "Surrey Fund" to help build local amenities in Jarrow.

The fund eventually raised £40,000, which was used to buy materials to enable men in Jarrow to continue working on tasks, such as constructing playgrounds and sport facilities.

The majority of the money raised was used to employed the unemployed men to create Monkton Dene Park and build its tennis courts, bowling greens and a paddling pool.

 The stretch of the dene from York Avenue to Butchers Bridge is called the John Jarvis Park.

On 4 December 1950 the trees from York Avenue to Lukes Lane Estate were planted to commemorate the Festival of Britain.