This year, I plan to visit Albert Park each month.

Albert Park is home to the Abingdon Bowls Club, whose neat lawn and clubhouse sit on one side of the park. Early this month, snow briefly settled on both the roof and the lawn. The clubhouse remains active, with members gathering on some days to enjoy indoor bowls.

A highlight of the park is the collection of trees. Among them is a Holm Oak, with bifurcating trunks and an enormous, rounded crown. The park hosts a great variety of evergreens, including cedars, cypresses, firs, yews, hollies, and monkey puzzle trees.

There are also towering Wellingtonia trees, which stand at approximately 30 meters tall.

The park is encircled by a wide, well-maintained path, lined with occasional benches and bins. This path provides a route for walkers and joggers, although many opt to cut across the grass at the centre with their dogs.

A striking feature of the park over the past year — and continuing into this one – is the abundance of squirrels.  I’ve managed to capture six in this picture.

Daffodils are beginning to emerge near the bowls club entrance, although strong winds often leave them battered. The flower of the month is the snowdrop, adding whiteness and brightness under the trees.

Flowers are generally scarce in the park since the flower beds were removed years ago to reduce maintenance costs, and the grass is kept trim. Although some area of grass may well be left wild. We will see.

Albert Park is managed by the Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon charity. Notices at the entrances have recently advised caution due to strong winds. Rain has left its mark, with puddles reflecting the statue of Prince Albert and little streams running down the paths — a reminder of the springs that once bubbled up before this was a park. The springs were channelled along Conduit Road as a water supply to the houses on Ock Street.