54°32′28″N 5°58′48″W / 54.541°N 5.980°W The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is a park in South Belfast, Northern Ireland, covering almost 130 acres (0.53 km2) and is accessible from the Upper Malone Road.[1] It includes meadows, woodland, riverside fields, formal rose gardens, a walled garden and a Japanese garden, as well as a children's playground, coffee shop, an orienteering course and many walks.[2] It is owned and maintained by Belfast City Council's Parks and Cemeteries Services Section.[3] On 14 July 2010, the park hosted annual International Rose Trials, the highlight of Rose Week, involving judges from around the world.
History
[edit]The park was bequeathed to the people of Belfast in 1959 by Lady Edith Stewart Dixon and was dedicated to the memory of her husband, the late Sir Thomas Dixon.[1] The first roses were planted in 1964 and the Trial roses were judged for the first time in summer 1965. A permanent panel of judges is provided by the Rose Society of Northern Ireland, formed by Craig Wallace in 1964.[3]
Gallery
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Japanese garden, 2002
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Shady pond, 2006
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Rose Garden, 2006
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Meadow and woodland, 2006
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Rose in International Rose Week 2006
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park". Belfast City Council. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- ^ "Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park". Discover Northern Ireland. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- ^ a b "The City of Belfast International Rose Garden, Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park". World Federation of Rose Societies. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
Further reading
[edit]- Scott, Robert 2004. Wild Belfast on safari in the city. The Blackstaff Press Belfast. ISBN 0-85640-762-3