Colour postcard of view of lake at Battersea Park, with people walking on path in foreground. Ink (cross-written): I wish you most heartily many Happy Returns of your Birthday and a joyous year to come. I am hoping to write to you from Bury early but am not yet decided the date / With kind regards Yours Sincerely E. W. Nixon (address in Plymouth supplied). Battersea Park was proposed as a new royal park in 1845, and James Pennethorne was the original designer, officially in charge from 1846 to 1864; but John Gibson, who became its superintendent, proposed an altered design which was adopted. The park opened in 1858. Gibson created his "subtropical garden", which gave its name to foliage gardening in the 19th century, in 1863; in 1866 Pulham & Son created the cascade. Later additions included the Old English Garden (1912), the Festival of Britain gardens (1951), the Fun Fair (1951), and the Peace Pagoda (1985)