Spencer Park

The city owes a debt of gratitude to Coventry benefactor David Spencer, for the gift of land for Spencer Park which opened in 1883. He had acquired land in Earlsdon which he donated for a park long before he died in 1888. David Spencer is commemorated by a memorial which reads: "This tree was planted in 1925 in memory of David Spencer (1805–1888), a generous benefactor of Coventry who presented this park to the people of Coventry City in 1852."

In the mid-19th century the City Council was looking for an area of public land on which to create a city park. Part of Stivichale Common was eventually identified and work began on a 4-acre site on Warwick Road, now known as Top Green. David Spencer believed the area could be improved if the space was increased to provide a good-sized recreation ground and he offered the city council 4,000 guineas to pay for it — however, the owners of the adjoining land would not sell.

Instead another area of land was found: a large meadow of just over 7 acres belonging to the Grammar School Trustees. They had bought the land in order to build the new King Henry VIII Grammar School, but this area of meadow was surplus to their needs. The Trustees were glad to sell, as the proceeds enabled them to begin their building project earlier than originally envisaged.

In addition to the 7-acre meadow, a further small field of 3 acres was also bought from Mr R.A. Dalton, later to become the Bowling Green and Tennis Court area. An agreement was also entered into with the city Freemen's Trustees whereby a new road was to be cut from Warwick Road to the Freeman's land at Earlsdon — this was to become Spencer Road.

On 19 December 1882 there was an official handing-over ceremony and a luncheon hosted by the mayor. The mayor proposed a toast to Mr David Spencer saying he was "the truest and most generous benefactor, who in his own lifetime at his own expense bestows his bounty for the benefit of his fellows."

By 1894 a "gymnasium" — consisting of swings, roundabouts, slides, see-saws and climbing frames — was erected for the children. This was followed by bowling greens, tennis courts and the pavilion, designed by the City Engineer and opened in August 1915.

Close to the footpath alongside Spencer Avenue a small stone acts as a reminder of the Cenotaph unveiled on 12 October 1919. This original ceremony was Coventry's first attempt at a memorial to its dead from the First World War. The Mayor, who performed the unveiling, referred to the cenotaph not unkindly as a "quite home-made affair" — it had been designed, built and paid for by discharged soldiers.

Spencer Park was the subject of a painting by British war artist Dame Laura Knight. The Barrage Balloon depicts members of the ATS preparing a barrage balloon in Spencer Park during the Second World War, with the Coventry skyline visible in the background.