Historic Croydon Park Faces Deterioration Despite Council Protection Pledge
Norwood Grove, a historic park in Croydon beloved by dog walkers and local residents, is "not for sale" according to council officials, but faces significant challenges due to years of underinvestment. The Upper Norwood green space, which offers panoramic views across central Croydon, has been described as needing "tender loving care" to restore its former glory as one of South London's most beautiful parks.
Community Concerns Mount Over Park Conditions
Regular visitors to Norwood Grove report multiple issues affecting the park's usability and appeal. Mark Leggett, chair of Friends of Norwood Grove, emphasized the urgent need for investment, stating: "It really does need some tender loving care and investment to bring it back. Otherwise, it will continue to crumble." The park's problems include persistent flooding along its eastern edge, damaged fencing and gates, and overflowing bins that attract wildlife scavengers.
Nikki Izzard, a regular visitor, praised the park's "amazing community of dog walkers" but acknowledged that the space has "seen better days." The contrast with neighboring Streatham Common in Lambeth is particularly striking, with Norwood Grove lacking proper paved pathways and adequate drainage systems that would improve accessibility for all visitors, including those with mobility challenges.
Heritage Features at Risk
The park's Grade II-listed White House, dating back over 200 years and containing residential flats and a nursery, shows visible signs of disrepair. The surrounding gardens and fountains have fallen into such poor condition that they appear on Historic England's Heritage at Risk list, with conditions described as "declining" and "generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems."
Behind the historic house, the former stable block remains boarded up following a fire, hidden behind graffiti-covered hoardings that have become a hotspot for littering, fly-tipping, and vandalism. These issues compound the challenges facing the park as it approaches its centenary year.
Council Response and Future Prospects
Croydon Mayor Jason Perry has firmly denied rumors that parts of the park might be sold for development, stating: "Claims that Norwood Grove is being sold or earmarked for development are simply wrong. The site has never been marketed for sale, is not included in any council-approved disposal programme, and there are no plans to sell any part of the grounds."
However, the council acknowledges the park's challenges, attributing the lack of investment to Croydon's financial position and historic £1.4 billion debt. Mayor Perry emphasized his commitment to protecting green spaces, stating: "Protecting green spaces is a core commitment of my mayoralty. Croydon is one of London's greenest boroughs, with 127 parks and open spaces, and I am determined they are protected, maintained and enhanced."
Community Action Offers Hope
The recent formation of Friends of Norwood Grove has created new momentum for improvements. The eight-member committee has established a bank account and clear ambitions for the park, hoping to raise its profile through events, attract volunteers, and lobby the council for greater priority. The group is exploring National Lottery funding bids to restore historic features while council finances remain constrained.
There are also plans to potentially bring the stable block back into use as a café, which could generate income for the local authority. Mark Leggett expressed cautious optimism about the park's future, noting: "There is more of a drive within the council to do something about it. I'm positive, I just want it to get going."
The council confirmed it is working with the Friends group, Historic England, and local partners to secure funding and deliver long-term improvements. As Norwood Grove approaches its centenary, the community remains hopeful that this historic green space can be restored to its former beauty while maintaining its essential role as a haven for dog walkers and nature enthusiasts in Croydon.
