Inventory Site Record

Memorial Recreation Ground opened in 1897, and was the playing fields where West Ham United Football Club originated, the club also using Hermit Road Recreation Ground, before moving to Upton Park in 1904. The Memorial Ground was also the home of the East London Rugby Club. It is adjacent to the East London Cemetery, which lies on its boundary, and is overlooked by The Greenway. It remains essentially laid out as playing fields, and has an avenue of mature plane trees flanking the main north/south path, and some shrubs planted along the border. The Grassroots Resource Centre now provides community facilities in an innovatory building with an undulating turf-covered roof.

Previous / Other name:

Memorial Recreation Ground

Site location:

Memorial Avenue/Ronald Avenue, West Ham

Postcode:

E15 3DB

What 3 Words:

both.body.landed

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Newham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

dawn to dusk

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Basketball court, football pitches, changing room

Events:

Public transport:

Tube/Rail: West Ham. Rail: West Ham. Bus: 69, 276

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/04/2012

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.newham.gov.uk/EntertainmentandLeisure/ParksInNewham/ParksA-Z

The Grassroots Resource Centre was designed by Eger Architects with Ove Arup, and is sunk into the parkland with a turf-covered roof and access via a ramp. Other proposed developments include mounded access from the Greenway, new facilities and improvements to changing rooms.

Sources consulted:

LB Newham Parks Archive; Bridget Cherry, Charles O'Brien, Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 5: East', (Yale University Press, 2005 ed)

Grid ref:

TQ393828 (539350,182850)

Size in hectares:

12.4

Site ownership:

LB Newham

Site management:

Parks Service

Date(s):

1897

Designer(s):

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:

None