Freedom Park, designed by the Architect Theo Lawson, is a memorial and leisure park that is located in Lagos Island. The park, which was formerly Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison, was constructed with the aim of preserving the history and heritage of Her Majesty’s Broad Street prisons.
When Nigeria celebrated her 50th anniversary independence in October, 2020, Freedom Park was built to commemorate this event. The park is notable for being an Arts and Recreation centre, a Historical Landmark, a National Memorial, and a Cultural Site.
Freedom Park is now open to the public and it is a spot for interaction and contemplation by visitors, and a serene abode for people. It is widely remarkable for being a venue for recreational entertainment and diverse social events.
In 1861, Britain made Lagos a Colony. Afterwards, Broad Street Prison was created. It was majorly used as a prison site for political prisoners. In 1882, the initial prison structure was constructed with grass thatch and mud walls. However, it could not be preserved because of opponents from the colonial government.
In 1979, the building was demolished and reduced to a dumping ground. However, a plan was drawn in the 1990s, to transform Broad Street Prison into a creative space.
Remarkable prisoners at Broad Street Prison include Michael Imoudu, Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo, and Anthony Enahoro.
Freedom Park remains of the most historic national parks in the world and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nigeria.
Freedom Park: Gate Fee
With an affordable fee of 200 naira, you can explore the park that is filled with history and entertainment.
Freedom Park has attractive picnic spots, museums, green belts, open-air stages, and attractive sites.
Freedom Park: Events They Do There
Freedom Park, which majorly graces photographers, historians, and art lovers, is a fun-filled avenue for relaxing, viewing the broad prisons where political prisoners were held captive, seeing a play, and a host of others.
Opened Mondays to Saturdays from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Freedom Park hosts several events on a yearly basis. Some of the events held include concerts, springs festivals, Independence Day events, musical nights, live shows and performances, and a host of others.
Easter and Christmas celebrations are also hosted at the memorable park. Anniversaries and birthdays are celebrated at this popular venue.
While visiting Freedom Park, you should aim at exploring the cells were prisoners were held captive, purchasing cultural accessories and artistic objects from the shops, buying jewelry, rings, and other lovely ornaments, enjoying a great picnic at the lake side, taking pictures of sculptures made of rocks and stones, visiting the museum, playing along the beautiful grassy parks, eating cultural foods at the restaurant, and so much more.
Freedom Park Island: Address
Freedom Park is located at No. 1 Hospital Road, off Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Freedom Park: Instagram Images
Below are some of the captivating Instagram images from Freedom Park:
Direction to Freedom Park Lagos
From Oshodi:
Head northwest on Apapa-Oshodi Express Way/Oshodi- Oworonshoki Express Way.
Follow Apapa Oworonshoki Express Way to Awolowo Road. Take the exit toward Broad Street/ Tafawa Balewa Square from Expressway.
Take J.K Randle Road and Tafawa Balewa Road to Broad Street.
From Ikeja Along Bus Stop:
Head towards Agege Motor Road/ Lagos-Abeokuta Express Way and Apapa Oworonshoki Express Way to Awolowo Road.
Take the exit toward Broad Street/Tafawa Balewa Square from Express Way.
Take J.K Randle Road and Tafawa Balewa Road to Broad Street.
Author
Maryam AbdulWahab is a creative writer and lifestyle blogger. She is also a graduate of Economics from Al-Hikmah University. She lives and breathes literature. When she isn’t writing prose or blog posts, she is reading a fiction work or studying events around her. She writes from Lagos, Nigeria. You can find more of her works on her website.
1 comment
Is there room where one can Lodge in the park?