Completed in 1815 and designed to use existing field boundaries and woodlands to create its sinuous shape, Waterloo Lake by its sheer size alone (12ha), formed the dominant feature of Nicholsons picturesque landscape.
When Nicholson completed Waterloo Lake he covered the site of some earlier mining works which had scarred the landscape. The old quarry/mine was dammed up by unemployed soldiers from Napoleonic Wars. This, the largest of the parks water features, commands breathtaking views no matter where you are along its perimeter.
In 1893 it was reported that a fully rigged ship was destroyed by torpedo in a realistic battle on Waterloo Lake. Things on the whole are a little more peaceful today, although the lake has been used for many watersports exhibitions and competitions in recent years.
The area of Roundhay, Leeds in the thirteenth century was a three square mile hunting park for the DeLacy family of Pontefract Castle.
The entire estate was purchased by the City of Leeds in 1872 and opened as a public park by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur on the 19th of September 1872.
At the time, the then Lord Mayor of Leeds John Barran was ridiculed for buying a 'White Elephant' - in that the park was too far out of the city for the majority of the population to enjoy, and in any event the park had just one access road - an old 'turnpike' road dating from 1808.
The park was seen as a reckless waste of ratepayers money - critics even published a booklet under the title: 'The Big White Elephant' in 1879.
In June 1907 an open air swimming pool 'lido' opened, at a cost of just over £1,600, it was built mainly by unemployed citizens. During the 1950's and 1960's about 100,000 people a year visited the Roundhay 'swimming baths'.
Roundhay Park comprises over 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland. The Park includes scented gardens for the blind, National Plant Collections, Canal Gardens, the Monet and Alhambra Gardens, plus Tropical World which attracts visitors all year round. Newly opened for 2005 is the Friends Garden, located alongside Canal Gardens and the Rainbow Garden.
Woodpeckers, common warblers in spring and summer, mute swans, visiting whooper swans, great-crested grebes and herons can all be found at the park.
The Upper Lake is maintained as a wildlife area, and the larger Waterloo Lake is used for fishing. The Roundhay Park Arena is a natural amphitheatre which provides the venue for many special events ranging from sports days to major pop concerts and the spectacular bonfire and firework displays on 5th November .
Facilities at Roundhay Park also include tennis courts, skateboard ramps, sports pitches, bowling greens, a sports arena, a golf course, and fishing. A lakeside cafe overlooks Waterloo Lake.
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