The History of Marsden Park
Marsden Park was once the seat of the Walton family which can be traced back as far as 1352 when Henry, Duke of Lancaster granted lands to Richard de Walton in the township of Great Merclesden (later changed to Great Marsden).  In 1356 the Walton's ownership of land was increased by a decree issued by Queen Isabella.  It is probable that the de Walton family built a dwelling on the site, however, little or no evidence exists of any structure from this period.
At the  eastern end of the Park can be seen Marsden Old Hall which mainly dates from two periods.  The main section of the hall was built between by Henry Walton between 1553 and 1556.  Although appearing quite small in comparison to other family seats of this time, Marsden Old Hall would have been quite an exclusive residence.
It appears that most of the Walton families wealth came from the letting of lands to tennant farmers and marrying well although there is evidence that the family did go through hard times.  In 1423 Christopher de Walton was outlawed for the taking of deer from the Royal Hunting Forest of Pendle and just 23 years later Henry Walton was sued for debt.  Despite this, the Marsden Estate remained in the hands of the Walton Family.
In 1740 Marsden Old Hall was greatly extended by Henry Walton with a massive extension being built.  This was a time of great prosperity for the Walton family.  Finances flowed in to the family due to the industrial revolution and the marriage of Henry to a wealthy family heiress of the Altham branch of the family.  Henry died in 1754 where the estate was passed to his son Banastre.
Banastre also married well.  In 1758 he married Miss Jane Toulson who was the daughter of Elizabeth Parker.  The Parkers were orginally resided at Alkincoates Hall (that is now Alkincoats Park) in Colne.  At this time the Parker Family had relocated its seat to Browsholme Hall.
Banastre Walton was a great encourager of manufacturer and presented the site of Piece or Cloth Hall, Colne as a place for trading goods.  The share holders erected a stone that commenorated his generosity:
"To Banastre Walton Esq., of Marsden Hall, for his voluntary gift of the ground whereon this Hall was erected in 1775, this stone is greatefully inscribed by the proprietors."
Banastre last the last male heir of the Walton family when he died in 1784 and as a result the Marsden Estate passed to a cousin, Reverend Richard Wroe who was the son of Reverend Thomas Wroe and Mary Walton, sister of Banastre's father, Henry.  Banastre's last request in his will was that Reverend Wroe would reside at the Marsden estate and take the name of Walton.  Richard Wroe-Walton died in 1801 and the Marsden Estate passed to his son Richard Thomas.
Richard Thomas inherited the estate at a difficult time in the area's history.  The costly foreign wars were about to end and the introduction of machines in to the cotton industry caused civil unrest.  Despite this Richard Thomas managed to steer clear of disputes and gained a reputation as being 'a typical country squire, a gentleman of the old school in dress and manners, interested in the welfare of his tenant farmers, his house and purse always open to the poor.'
Richard Thomas was a man of incredible forsight.  He commissioned an artist to create landscaped gardens throughout the park.  This was a massive undertaking and provides the park with many unusual features that can still be seen today.
R. T. Wroe-Walton, Esq., died on April 1st, 1845 aged 71.  His funeral was on the scale of something never seen before in the area.  The shops in Burnley and Colne (Nelson was on the verge of being built at this point in history) closed for the day and a funeral procession consisting of the hearse and thiry to forty private carriages strectching for over a mile carried Wroe-Walton's body to the family tomb in Altham.
Maria Anne and Jane were the last of the Wroe-Walton family and on their deaths the estate passed to two sisters who were the closest realtives of both the Wroe-Waltons and the orginal Walton family. 
It appears that one of the sisters, Mrs. Fawcett lived in the hall until her death in 1851 and on the death of her husband Mr. Hallam in May 1857, the other sister, Mrs. Hallam took up residence for a few years before retiring to Colne.  The Hall and its grounds were leased out to Dr. Pinder of Whalley.
Dr. Pinder opened the Hall as a private hospital for people with learning and behavourial difficulties.  He was succeded by his son-in-law Dr. Bennett.  Dr. Pinder's grave can be found in the church yard in Bakerhouse Road.
In 1912, Mrs. Howarth, daughter of Mrs. Hallam sold Marsden Hall and 44½ acres of land to Nelson Corporation for £6000, it being her wish that the estate should become a public park.  On the 20th June, 1912, Marsden Park was officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress (Aldermen and Mrs. Davies).  Since then many changes have taken place in the park although much of the original character of the estate still remains.
In 1922 the tennis courts were built shortly followed by tthe creation of the bowling greens in 1924 both of which can still be seen today.  In the 1930's a large open air swimming pool was built that included sun bathing lawns, changing rooms, cafe and toilets.  Unfortunately, this much-loved feature closed in 1999 and was filled in during 2006.
Marsden Park still continues to develop today.  After a long campaign by Pendle Borough Council and the Friends of Marsden Park, the park recieved a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the park to its former glory.  Work was completed in 2007 and consisted of 13 projects including the creation of a new childrens play area, a marsh area and restoration of the Old Hall.