Crookes Valley Park_Ponderosa_Philadelphia greenspace.pdf

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Ponderosa, Crookes Valley Park and Philadelphia
Gardens Masterplan
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ground slopes down steeply on all four sides to the lake. Three sides are
similar to the original landform remoulded down to what was a reservoir, and
the fourth slope is a more recent man-made embankment constructed to carry
trams along Crookes Valley Road (see historical context below). This slope
includes terraces and a level area where bowling greens and a play area are
located.
The layout of the park is mainly formal echoing the rectangular form of the
lake.
This is a very popular park, the creative consultation event indicated that
people mainly use the park to relax and sit down, as a route to other places
and for exercise. Bird watching and the play area are also important
attractions. It is generally seen as a welcoming and well maintained space.
P&C have worked in partnership with the Friends of Crookesmoor Parks
regarding the design and procurement of an island in the lake. This will have
advantages for both the bird life and fishing on the lake. Construction of the
island has recently been completed.
Historical Context
Crookes Valley was once open moorland, known as Crookes Moor. In 1791
the Sheffield Enclosure Act divided up the moor into parcels of land, to be
rented out to local farmers. Originally, there were wells and troughs that
provided water. In 1785 an order was granted to commission the creation of a
constant water supply, this allowed for construction of The Old Great Dam in
1785. It was the largest dam, in a chain of ten, stretching from Ralph’s Dam
(now University car parks) down to smaller reservoirs in what is now the
Ponderosa. These with the Whitehouse Dams in Walkley were the first large
reservoirs to supply the growing town of Sheffield. were gradually abandoned
and developed into a few large residencies.
Although at the time it was expected that the Old Great Dam, holding 21
million gallons, would supply all the future needs of Sheffield, the population
of Sheffield grew rapidly in the 18 th century, increasing from 10,000 in 1780 to
50,000 by 1810 and it was soon too small.
The Great Dam is the only one of these reservoirs remaining. At the back of
the Dam, emerging from the hillside can be seen the early stone arched
culvert which still feeds water into the reservoir.
The Dam House is by far the oldest building in the area, built in the 1795 it
apparently started life as the Water Company Solicitor’s house. In the 19 th
century it was the home of the Hunter family (descendants of the local
antiquarian Joseph Hunter) and later as occupied by waterworks and Parks
staff and their families.
Environmental Planning Team