Community

Merton Council

About merton council

Although the north end of Wimbledon Park is part located in the The London Borough of Wandsworth, the total park is owned by the London Borough of Merton and Merton is charged with the responsibility of managing the whole of the public sector of the Park. The range of activities available within these many acres is quite amazing. Sail and canoe training to Royal Yachting Association standard and linked via the various schools programs. Tennis with a full training program from beginners up, and social tennis.

Watersports centre

About the Water sports centre

Although Wimbledon Park Lake may be only twenty acres in size, it is put to fantastic use by the Watersports Centre where in 2010 over 20,000 kids and adults were able to get on the water with a wide range of boating and sailing craft. The program run by the London Borough of Merton is managed by professional trainers and is recognised by the Royal Yacht Association, the British Canoe Union and is authorised and approved as a young persons’ activity centre accredited by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.

The waterfall project

About the waterfall project

Capability Brown built a dam at the north end of what was to become Wimbledon Park Lake. On the reverse side of the dam was created a waterfall in 1952 to celebrate the coronation of Elisabeth II. Unfortunately, the waterfall became defunct about twenty years ago and as a result turned from being a place of interest to an eyesore. The Heritage Group tried to reactivate the waterfall in 2003, but this attempt wasn’t successful in terms of continuous flow of water. In 2009, it was decided to try again, but not just reactivate the water flow but to transform the whole of the site into an interesting garden with the waterfall as the central feature.

The replacement gate project

About the replacement gate project

During the period 2001 – 2005, the issue of security in Wimbledon Park became more and more important. Following a security review of the park with the Metropolitan Police and staff from Merton Council it was decided to improve the defences of the parameter to the park through defensive planting and the replacement of all four sets of gates that lead into the park. The total project cost was in excess of £50,000 but with the help of London Borough of Merton, Entrust, the Norlands Foundation and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, the money was found and the gate replacement was carried out.

New tennis courts

About the tennis courts

On the 29th of May, 2003, people from the London Borough of Merton, the All England Lawn Tennis Club and youngsters from everywhere, showed up in Wimbledon Park to see Sue Barker and The Honourable Mayor of Merton, Maxi Martin open the Park’s new tennis courts. This was a joint venture between the All England and Merton where the All England provided the funds and Merton provided a concession for the Lawn Tennis Association to mount events on the new courts in Wimbledon Park.

Graffiti campaign

About the graffiti campaign

Part of the activity of the WPHG is to try where we can, to improve the character of Wimbledon Park. From walking around the Park in the early months of 2001, it was very apparent that graffiti was a major problem. It was not only effecting the appearance of the Park, but also creating an edgy feeling that left you with the impression, “Was this place really safe?” Following discussions with Merton Council it was agreed that something should be done. If the WPHG supplied the manpower, the Council would supply the paint, and we could start to rid the Park of this menace. Our strategy was one of Rapid Reaction, i.e. in order to get the message across to the offenders, it was necessary to remove any new graffiti within 24 hours of its appearance.

Master plan 2016

About the master plan 2016

Merton Council planned to knock down the Cafe Pavilion and other drastic changes within Wimbledon Park. The Heritage Group did not support this plan. With this website campaign, we were able to influence the Council to think again and the plan was rejected. But be aware, there may be another plan we’ll have to deal with so all of this information remains relevant to the future of Wimbledon Park.

Elisabeth pool

About the Elisabeth pool

With the hard draught of 2006, the old paddling pool in Wimbledon Park cracked and was damaged beyond repair. The Heritage Group then went into action and found SunSafe Water Play Systems who are well known as the premier designer and constructor of kids’ water play areas. Typically the SunSafe scheme has a flat surface and no standing water, but we wanted both the fountains and a paddling pool, so something quite special was designed.