Torquay has very little space near the sea for gardens and other facilities for visitors. So it was decided to reclaim some land from the sea to create the Princess Gardens. The Princess Pier which enlarged the Harbour was built at the same time. Princess Louise laid the foundation stone of the pier in May 1890 and both the pier and the gardens were named after her. A pier and gardens named after a member of the Royal Family was a great boost to the status of the resort. The garden was completed in June 1894. By 1898 there were tennis courts and a bowling green, where the pavilion now stands. In this photograph, you can see the trees and other plants are beginning to become established and yachts are using the harbour beyond the pier.