The Mayor and Mayoress opened Ightenhill Park on 25th June 1912. Initially The Park consisted only of the top part of The Park (South of Ightenhill park lane) and was built on land given to Burnley Corporation in 1908 by Lord Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe. The land had previously been used for grazing. The Park at the time contained a bandstand a small shelter and pavilion, Rose and shrub beds, ornamental lawns and other formal planting. It was completely surrounded by impressive wrought iron railings and is described as having huge iron gates. The railings were later removed as part of the war effort.
In the beginning there were several buildings in The Park of which only one of the bowling pavilions and the gardener’s mess room survive. The most well used and most spectacular of the old buildings was The Bandstand which was used weekly during the summer months in the early years of The Park. Sadly no further information on The Bandstand is available. However it was recorded in the local Burnley Express at time of the opening ceremony that the impressive new bandstand was not yet available for use so The Catholic Band marched around the Park stopping to perform at appropriate sites. The weather also got a mention (needless to say it was raining!). It is a mystery how and when the Bandstand met it’s end.
At the present time the Borough Council is working with the Friends of Ightenhill Park to improve facilities. The park has now achieved Green Flag status and the tennis courts /ball courts have now been refurbished.The the childrens play area has been refurbished, a new junior play area added and more recently the adult exercise equipment has been installed.