Nathaniel Coulson
Born on August 8th 1853 in Penzance, Nathaniel Coulson was abandoned at the age of ten by his drunken father and bound over to a farmer at Penquite Farm, Lostwithiel.
He emigrated to San Fransisco after a spell in the British Navy and there amassed a fortune after qualifying as a dentist from the University of California. The great earthquake of San Fransisco in 1906 left him bankrupt but he went on to amass a second fortune and completed his promise of finance towards the establishment of a park at Lostwithiel.
In April 1907 the park was formally opened by the Mayor, and on Empire Day, 24th May 1908 a new flagpole was dedicated The generous donor has given pleasure to the people of Lostwithiel since then.
Today, the Park offers a pleasant place for walking and fishing, and is the venue for many outdoor events of the town. Car parking is available and the wide sweep of the river affords moorings for small craft which contribute to a colourful scene.
The park contains many commemorative stones and artefacts, including the shelter to celebrate the the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 and the anchor from the last working river barge which travelled between Fowey and Lostwithiel in the 19th Century. The barge lies buried in the mud of the bank opposite and came to light in 1993 when South West Water undertook repair work on the riverside.