Longford Park was the home of industrialist
John Rylands, industrialist and philanthropist from 1855 until his death in 1888 and of his widow
Enriqueta Augustina Rylands until her death in 1908. The house Rylands constructed in the park in 1857, Longford Hall, was demolished in 1995. It replaced an earlier house of the same name that had been the residence of cotton merchant
Thomas Walker (died 1817) and subsequently of his sons Thomas (died 1836) and Charles. Today only the front porch, coach house, and the stable buildings remain. The estate and hall were sold to Stretford Council in 1911 after a poll of ratepayers, and the park was opened to the public the following year. 1st Stretford (Longford) Scout Group, who are one of the oldest Scout Groups in the UK, are based within the Shippon Complex which they call the Ranche. Longford Park is the home of Stretford parkrun; a free, weekly 5k running event. ==References==