Friends of Moortown Park

1741 -1906

Before Moortown Park existed, the area was open moorland, shown as part of Grange Moor on the 1741 Ordnance Survey map.

The park sits on a clay bed, and old clay pits can be seen on the 1906 map of the area.

1923 – 1990s

The land that is now Moortown Park was bought by Yorkshire Penny Bank Ltd in two stages, in 1923 and 1938.

By then, the area was becoming more built-up rather than rural.

The bank used the grounds as a sports facility, with tennis courts, indoor courts, a bar, and cricket and football pitches, all carefully maintained.

For many years, Moortown Primary School also held its annual sports days on the site.

2008

A small group of local residents came together to oppose planning applications (see example) that threatened this green space.

In 2008, the group was formally established as Moortown Community Group (MCG), with the main goal of protecting the green space for the community.

2013

Many planning applications for dense housing were successfully opposed from 1999 onwards.

In 2013, the land was purchased by Camstead Ltd., who agreed to build the Parklands development on around 30% of the site and gifted the remaining 7 acres (3 hectares) to Leeds City Council to create the new park.

2016

By 2016, MCG was taking on a broader role in Moortown, and some of its members formed Friends of Moortown Park (FoMP).

FoMP is a dedicated community volunteer group, working alongside Leeds City Council and local residents to help create and care for the park.

2018

Moortown Park opened to the public in December 2018.

The park was designed with woodland, meadows, and more moan grass areas, keeping a largely natural and informal feel, with playground and picnic areas as exceptions – creating a peaceful green space in a busy neighbourhood.

Since then, FoMP has worked hard to maintain and enhance the park for everyone to enjoy.