South Park Gardens

South Park Gardens is a triangular shaped park, 2.4 hectares in size, situated near Wimbledon town centre. It lies between Trinity, Dudley and Kings Roads within the South Park Gardens Conservation Area. It was designed in the Beaux Arts style with serpentine paths, circular flowerbeds, trees, shrubs and ornamental planting beds. It has a granite drinking fountain and horse trough. The circular area in the middle of the gardens housed an octagonal bandstand and is now a flexible performance space formed of York stone.

The Gardens were opened in September 1901 and have been restored using a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, re-opening in June 2009. They are registered on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Interest as Grade II.

The Gardens are the heart of the South Park community, providing a haven of peace and tranquillity just a few minutes walk from the hustle and bustle of Wimbledon Broadway. Large numbers of people use the Gardens every day and there is a very active Friends Group (the Friends of South Park Gardens), who organise regular events and activities for local residents.

The Gardens offer unique opportunities for imaginative children’s play, including trees, which can be safely climbed and logs that can be climbed on. There is a small mini-beast area, which is used by local primary schools. The curving paths offer a great surface for scooting, cycling, roller blading and skating.

There is also a new community building and kiosk offering refreshments and space for community activities, with external toilets.