Central Park, Plymouth

Central Park in Plymouth stands as the city’s largest and most prominent public green space. Located to the northeast of Plymouth’s city center in the southwest county of Devon, the park spans an impressive 68 hectares. Established in 1928, the park was designed with a clear purpose—to enhance the health and well-being of Plymouth’s residents.

The land, previously used for agricultural purposes, was sold to the City Council in 1923 with the stipulation that it remain a public open space. This acquisition paved the way for the development of a park dedicated to leisure and recreational activities. Although the initial layout was approved in 1929 and the park officially opened in 1931, many of the planned features were not completed due to budget constraints.

Central Park offers a wide range of facilities catering to sports and recreation enthusiasts. It features football, rugby, and cricket pitches, alongside a golf course, bowling green, and a baseball diamond. The park is also home to the Central Park Leisure Pools and the Plymouth Life Centre—a comprehensive sports complex with multi-purpose indoor pitches, a basketball court, swimming pools, and a café. The Life Centre opened in March 2012 and replaced the aging Mayflower Leisure Centre and Central Park Leisure Pools, which were demolished in 2007 following the council’s decision to construct a larger, modern facility.

An integral part of the park is the Home Park Stadium, the historic ground for Plymouth Argyle Football Club. In the mid-1990s, the club explored the idea of building a new 25,000-seat stadium within the park, but these plans were ultimately replaced by redevelopment efforts for the existing Home Park.

Central Park continues to be a treasured asset for the community, offering an array of activities and spaces that promote outdoor recreation and social interaction, all while maintaining its status as a trust land committed to leisure purposes.