Pearson Park, Hull
This learning resource is focused on Pearson Park, which is located in Hull. It is a historic and scenic public park that offers a peaceful retreat within the city. Established in 1860, it was Hull’s first free public park – it known as the ‘people’s park’. It features a range of amenities, including ornamental gardens, a large pond and a variety of recreational facilities. The park is also home to the iconic Pearson Park Conservatory, which houses a collection of exotic plants. This collection was started in the Victorian era, and is a reminder of the global connections of Hull as a significant sea port during the colonial era. Collecting plants from around the world during the colonial period supported the expansion of the British empire. As the National Trust now recognises, plant collections like these ‘had no traceable permission from or compensation to the countries of origin and their communities.’ Pearson Park today is a cherished community asset, providing a perfect spot for relaxation, picnics and family outings.
The participants in our Exploring and Belonging project chose Pearson Park as one of the places they would like to research. On this page you will find resources all about Pearson Park. The main resource is a reading book at two levels: Entry 1 and Entry 2 +. The reading book is available in different formats.
Participants also learnt about the history of Pearson Park.
Participants in the project visited the Pearson Park Conservatory .
Entry 1 Reading Book - Pearson Park
This reading book has been prepared by participants on the project in collaboration with the MESH team. The book has been prepared for learners working at Entry 1 level. You can read the book on this page by turning the pages in the panel on the right. You can also bring this up to full screen to read together.
Below is an option to download the reading book. It has been prepared as a pdf which can then be printed. To print as an A5 booklet, open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Choose print, then under ‘Page Sizing and Handling’ choose ‘Booklet’. Under ‘Booklet subset’ choose ‘Both Sides’. Under ‘Binding’ choose ‘left’. Orientation should be portrait. Now press print! The pdf will print in booklet form which can then be folded and stapled for use with learners. For best results use a long arm stapler like this one.
Entry 2 Reading Book - Pearson Park
This reading book has been prepared by participants on the project in collaboration with the MESH team. The book has been prepared for learners working at Entry 2 level and above. You can read the book on this page by turning the pages in the panel on the right. You can also bring this up to full screen to read together.
Below is an option to download the reading book. It has been prepared as a pdf which can then be printed. To print as an A5 booklet, open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Choose print, then under ‘Page Sizing and Handling’ choose ‘Booklet’. Under ‘Booklet subset’ choose ‘Both Sides’. Under ‘Binding’ choose ‘left’. Orientation should be portrait. Now press print! The pdf will print in booklet form which can then be folded and stapled for use with learners. For best results use a long arm stapler like this one.
This slide resource is the same as the E1 reading book above. It has been prepared with embedded audio to help learners with reading and pronunciation. You can use this directly from this webpage, or download via the button below.
This slide resource is the same as the E2+ reading book above. It has been prepared with embedded audio to help learners with reading and pronunciation. You can use this directly from this webpage, or download via the button below.
Listen to Tatiana, one participant on Exploring and Belonging, talking about Pearson Park.
All around the UK you can find blue plaques like this. Blue plaques are put up by English Heritage. They show that a place has a link to a significant person or event. This blue plaque can be found on the house at 64 Pearson Park. If you live in Hull you can go and look at it. The blue plaque is there because Zachariah Pearson lived in this house for some of his life. You can find out more about Pearson by reading what it says on the plaque. You can also read more about Pearson in an article on the BBC website. Follow the link to read more.
A history of Pearson Park
This is a short film (around 12 minutes) all about Zachariah Pearson and Pearson Park. The film tells us more about the park and the man that donated it to the people of Hull. It tells us that about 30, 000 people came to the opening of the park in 1860! It also tells the story of how Zachariah Pearson became rich through his shipping business and Mayor of Hull. During the period of the American civil war, however, Pearson was seen by some people as having links to the slave trade. As a result of this he lost his position in Hull society, and also lost most of his wealth. The film is made by ‘Hull History Nerd’.
Acknowledgement
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Exploring & Belonging is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to run sessions for refugees and asylum seekers to enable them to explore, discuss and write about what is of value as local heritage in the place they live in Yorkshire & Humber. These resources have been generated by participants in these sessions, in collaboration with the MESH team. This project has also been supported by Migration Yorkshire.