 In the latter part of the 19th century and the early 20th century, the area was used for unofficial 'outcropping' by local miners.These workings were opened particularly during the miners' strike in 1921 and the 1926 lockout, when as many as 50 such pits were operating, to the concern of local union officials.These pits were later capped by the National Coal Board to leave of land being sold in 1932 for the sum of £500 to be re-developed as a park.