Inventory Site Record

Greatfields Park opened in 1926 on a site aquired by Barking Borough Council in 1923/4. By 1935 its facilities included bandstands, lawn tennis courts, children's paddling pool, putting green and children's gymnasium, with areas of formal planting, trees and avenue of willows. Some of these features still exist.

Previous / Other name:

Movers Lane Playing Field

Site location:

Greatfields Road/Movers Lane, Barking

Postcode:

IG11

What 3 Words:

mint.flat.bumpy

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Barking & Dagenham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

7.15am to dusk

Special conditions:

Charges for tennis

Facilities:

Children's play area, 1 tennis court

Events:

Public transport:

London Overground/Rail/Tube (Hammersmith & City, District): Barking. Tube: Upney (District, Hammersmith & City). Bus: 173, 287, 368, 369, 387, 673, 687.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/04/2009

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk

Barking Borough Council acquired the 5.6-hectare site adjoining Movers Lane in 1923/24, and the park was opened to the public in 1926 'tastefully laid out right in the midst of one of the Council's Housing Estates' (1931 Guide). In 1935 the park possessed 4 lawn tennis courts, a children's paddling pool, an 18 hole putting green and a children's gymnasium. There were bandstands, areas of formal planting, which still remain today, and a fine avenue of willows and other trees, including horse chestnut, with metal perimeter railings.

Although only one of the four tennis courts remains, the perimeter hedging for the four courts is still visible today as a low hedge (golden privet?). Today the paddling pool is disused and bandstands no longer in evidence, although there are a number of old park benches. Much of the formal planting is intact particularly rose beds, such as 6 part-circular beds around central hexagonal beds. The park has tarmac paths generally, but with some crazed flagstone paths around the perimeter. The impressive avenue of willows leading to an octagonal rose-planted raised bed remains and the park has numerous shrubs and a line of ?poplars. A community artwork, The Living Sculpture' received a national award in Spaces and Places magazine.

Sources consulted:

Barking Official Guide (1931); A Century of Progress in Local Government in Barking (London, 1935)

Grid ref:

TQ450835 (545086,183436)

Size in hectares:

5.6

Site ownership:

LB Barking & Dagenham

Site management:

Parks & Countryside Ranger Service

Date(s):

1926

Designer(s):

? Barking Borough Council

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

Protected Open Space; Schedule B Ssite

Greatfields Park, May 1999. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.