PARK (French parque, i. e. locus inclusus), is a large quantity of ground enclosed and privileged for wild beasts of chase, by the king's grant or prescription. See CHASE and FOREST.
Manwood defines a chase to be "a privileged place, for beasts of venery, and other wild beasts of the forest and chase, tam sylvestres, quam campestris;" and differs from a chase or warren, in that it must be enclosed: for if it lies open, it is good cause of seizure into the king's hands, as a thing forfeited; as a free chase is, if it be enclosed: besides, the owner cannot have an action against such as hunt in his park, if it lies open. No man can erect a park without license under the broad seal; for the common law does not encourage matter of pleasure, which brings no profit to the commonwealth. But there may be a park in reputation erected without any lawful warrant; and the owner may bring his action against persons killing his deer.
To a park three things are required. 1. A grant thereof. 2. Enclosures by pale, wall, or hedge. 3. Beasts of a park; such as the buck, doe, &c. And where all the deer are destroyed, it shall no more be accounted a park; for a park consists of vert, venison, and enclosure: and if it is determined in any of them, it is a total disparking.
Parks as well as chases are subject to the common law, and are not to be governed by the forest laws.