South Park

Originally laid out in 1904 after the local benefactress and naturalist Ms Charlotte Sullivan sold the land to the Council.
Although numerous additions were made over the years the fundamental park character has stayed the same.
To arrest the deterioration of features and improve maintenance in the park the Council set out to establish a vision for the park encompassing a Masterplan and an ongoing 10 year management plan. Surveys were organised in 2006 of park users, leading to the formation of a user group, the Friends of South Park formally came into being in 2009.
The Friends of South Park and the wider community have helped guide the development of the plan since. South park is an important sports park, containing the only public cricket pitch in the borough along with both senior football and rugby pitches + floodlight hard courts for both formal and informal sports.
Recent Improvements in line with the Master Plan include new perimeter gates, complete refurbishment of tennis courts and central landscape, establishment of The Heritage Market Garden for community food growing as well as a new playground are all making positive steps for change. A Mayors Safer Park Award in 2010-11 was recognition of the improvements made.
Although these are small steps towards the full restoration the clear Master Plan Vision developed by community, council and contractors guides us all towards full restoration.