HULL PUBLIC PARK. Prize Ode, on the Occasion of the Planting of the First Tree. By Z.C. Pearson, Esq., in the Park, so nobly presented by him to the People of Hull. A large handbill, set in two columns, with decorative floral border, and an 'illuminated' first letter and an ivy frond above. Some slight dustiness, the lower part of ‘L’ in ‘Planting’ has rubbed away, and the central fold is reinforced on the reverse. Scarce, unrecorded in WorldCat, although a copy is in Hull Museum. 280mm x 220mm. Printed at J. Temple’s Steam Printing Works, 35, Church-lane, Hull. August 1860. ~ Pearson Park was the first public or people's park to be opened in Kingston upon Hull. The land for the Park was provided in 1860 by Zachariah Charles Pearson (1821-91) to mark his first term as mayor of Hull. He shrewdly retained c.12 acres of land surrounding the Park, however, for building villa residences. Two years later though his shrewdness failed him when he bought, on credit, a large fleet of ships and attempted to run arms through the Federal blockade during the American Civil War (1861-65). The venture failed and all his vessels were captured. Financially ruined, Pearson resigned half way through his second term as mayor and spent the last 29 years of his life in obscurity, living in a modest terraced house in a quiet corner of the Park which bore his name. The Park, which covers c.23 acres of land, was designed by James Craig Niven (1828-81), curator of Hull's Botanic Gardens. Features of the Park include a small serpentine lake, a broad carriage drive running around the perimeter, and a Victorian style conservatory (rebuilt in 1930) - all set in well maintained grounds with plenty of trees and shrubs. The main entrance to the Park is through an elaborate cast-iron gateway created by Young & Pool in c.1863. The gateway, along with several other structures within the Park, is now listed as a building of special architectural & historic interest.