Park Life, which opens at Abbey House Museum on Saturday, looks at how the city's green spaces were secured amongst the smoke and grime of industrial Leeds.

Among the items on show is equipment for the traditional game of knur and spell (or "poor man's golf") which was played on Hunslet Moor, contrasting with an early croquet set.

The displays will also feature both wild animals and those kept in captivity (from when Leeds actually had a zoo in the 1840s).

As well as many items from the Leeds museum collections, Abbey House is also borrowing in a few star items including a Leeds Carnival costume from the City of Leeds High School, instruments from Otley Brass Band and a uniform from Garforth Brass Band.

There is also a chance to watch historic film footage (courtesy of the Yorkshire Film Archive) showing Golden Acre Park in the 1930s and the Leeds Children's Day events in Roundhay Park.

Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Coun John Procter said: "The Park Life exhibition is going to be very interesting. Leeds is a very green city and it will be great to see what the processes were to keeping the city so green."

The exciting look of the exhibition is a result of a new partnership
with students from the Leeds Metropolitan University School of Architecture, Landscape and Design and Abbey House Museum.

The displays have been designed and constructed by a student team who won a competition in which over 40 designs were submitted.

The exhibition runs until the end of December 2010.

For more information go to www.leeds.gov.uk/abbeyhouse/