User:Aussie deb/South park sw6

South Park is a 7.9 ha park in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

History

South Park opened in 1904 after local benefactress, Ms Charlotte Sulivan sold the land to the Fulham Borough Council for use as a public recreation ground  The land, formerly known as Broom House Farm and Southfields Farm, had been part of the Sulivan private lands though it had been leased to Messrs Veithch & Sons of Chelsea as a nursery for fruit trees.

World War I saw military occupation of the park and allotments and in 1915 South Park became the training ground for three Fulham Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery. World War II, 11000 cu. yards of sand was dug from South Park and surrounds to fill sandbags needed to protect key buildings and areas. Air raid shelters were created near the present cricket pavilion.

In 2004, South Park celebrated its centenary. The Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham presented the park with some memorial benches.

Design

The park was designed by Francis Wood who was the Borough Engineer. The park is divided into north and south sports areas. The north area contains the only public cricket pitch in the Borough. The sports areas are surrounded by a raised terrace and footpaths enabling park visitors to view the sporting fixtures as well as creating a promenade around the park.

Facilities

There are two sports fields within South Park. The southern field contains the only public cricket pitch in the borough. There are four Tennis courts available for hire. Other sporting facilities include football pitches, netball and basketball courts. A playground for young children is enclosed by a hedge, separating it from the rest of the park. There is a 1km perimeter walk used by runners, walkers, dogs and their owners. The Twice Times Montessori Nursery occupies the cricket pavilion.

Management

South Park is owned by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The Friends of South Park was established in January 2009 to secure the restoration and regeneration of South Park. The development of a master plan outlining key areas for conservation and change to South Park is underway following community consultation begun in 2009. --Aussie deb (talk) 13:25, 15 June 2010 (UTC)