Connections in the Park
Campbell Park sits at the centre of the network of parks that reach across and around the whole of the city. The linear parks, another founding principle of the Corporation’s plans, are green corridors that run the length of the city along the various tributaries of the Great Ouse as they flow into the river at Newport Pagnell and New Bradwell.
The Eastern edge of Campbell Park is bounded by the Grand Union Canal, another green corridor that meanders around the city from Old Wolverton in the north to Water Eaton in the south. The Parks Trust manage the canal Broadwalk. Lombardy poplars are planted in several locations along the route, including here opposite the park, providing shelter from the wind and an easily identifiable landmark for anyone looking for the canal. They can be seen in the illustration, taken from the 1986 Park Grid Square presentation.
Image 1: Park Grid Square artist impression of canal promenade (© Milton Keynes Development Corporation. Crown Copyright).
The multi-faceted relationship between the canal and Campbell Park is described here by David Wolfson, chairman of MK Canals.
Another tree often found beside water is the willow. Originally planted in the park as a source of timber for cricket bats, they were also used by artist Clare Wilks to create Circle Dance, a living sculpture of willow trees planted beside the canal. A combination of bent steel rods and twisted willows appear as a group of dancers spinning and weaving their withies into a flurry of limbs.
Image 2: Detail of Circle Dance showing design for the yearly growth of the trees. (Clare Wilks)
“The sculpture represents a group of figures holding hands, moving so fast that they seem almost to merge into one another. Very long fresh willow rods were planted around the base and woven into the form. These then took root and have continued to grow and sprout every year and grafting together in places. It is up to the owners of my sculptures how the forms evolve as they grow over the years, and I am incredibly grateful that the Milton Keynes Parks Trust has taken care of it so well for nearly 30 years. The realisation of the dance is still clear even after all this time.” Clare Wilks
Image 3: Initial installation of Circle Danced in Campbell Park (Clare Wilks)
Follow the Campbell Park Trail to discover the history of this Grade II listed landscape. Featuring archive photos and videos with the people who helped make the park what it is today.
