4:51am Sunday 28th June 2009
By ivor
What could be better than a nice stroll in a park on a warm summer’s day?
Wycombe has two large open spaces nearby these being Hughenden Park and the Rye. This week I visited the Rye to see what facilities were like and see how they compared to Higginson Park in Marlow which featured in my blog last week.
Located beside the A40 London Road the park covers an area of 22 hectares (that’s 53 acres in proper measurement) and is the third largest park in the Wycombe District indeed it is only one hectare smaller than Higginson Park in Marlow and three smaller than Hughenden Park.
They Rye is not a place that I visit very often but I was looking forward to my visit with great excitement indeed I had packed a special picnic to enjoy while there.
Slowly I walked down Easton Street and crossed over London Road before entering the grassy park and making my way towards the large expanse of open water called the Dyke which is fed by water from the grounds of the Abbey School.
On the Dyke swans swam majestically while ducks made their way towards the river bank expecting me to throw then some food. A footpath runs alongside the Dyke with proper wooden seats for weary people to rest.
After walking the length of the Rye I came to the Holywell Mead open air swimming pool surrounded by a green fence and tall trees. Sadly the pool is now closed but it was amazing how many people were going up to the fence a peering through.
Beside the disused swimming pool were some large trees and the markings for a running track. People were sitting on the grass enjoying picnics, ladies were sunbathing, children were playing football and lots of people generally having a good time.
I started making my way back along the footpath until I found a suitable place to sit and eat my picnic.
Sitting there on the grass with the food laid out and my trusty primus stove heating the water for the tea I looked at the large expanse of grass being enjoyed by so many people and realised just how good the Rye is.
Although the Rye and Higginson Park are roughly the same size the two spaces are completely different. Higginson Park is divided up in to areas whereas the Rye is just one large expanse which I think works very well.
Making my way back I came to the Café. Although only built from tin unlike the brick construction in Higginson Park the charm of the Café actually adds to the Rye.
Close by is the adventure playground for 8 to 14 year olds that was opened last August. It was the first in the District to use the natural environment and natural materials in its construction.
To sum up I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Rye.
Next week my blog will be about Hughenden Park which I hope to visit soon.
What do you think to the Rye?
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