Inventory Site Record

Memorial Park was Chingford UDC's first municipal park, laid out on an irregularly shaped site surrounded by early C20th residential streets. The park incorporated an already existing sunken Garden of Remembrance that had been created by public subscription as a memorial to those who lost their lives in WWI. It was taken over by the UDC when they laid out Memorial Park in 1930. Facilities in the new park included tennis courts, a bowling green and pavilion. The park entrance through the original 1930s gates lead directly to the small memorial garden before the park opens out. An area of planting surrounds a pond with a fine willow, a sculpture by Jack Gardner, 'Tao Column 92', sited nearby. 

Previous / Other name:

War Memorial Recreation Ground

Site location:

Chingford Mount Road

Postcode:

E4

What 3 Words:

spring.beats.chop

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Waltham Forest

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

9am - half hour before sunset

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's play areas (under 7s, under 12s), tennis courts, bowling green, car park

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: Highams Park; Chingford then bus. Bus: 97, 212, W16

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

04/01/2021

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.walthamforest.gov.uk/parks

The Garden of Remembrance was the site of the first meeting of the Chingford Branch of the Brotherhood Movement, founded in 1923. The Movement originated in West Bromwich with the aim 'to attract men to meetings of a Christian character who otherwise found the church too remote from their daily lives' and was originally called the Pleasant Sunday Afternoon.

Adjacent to the children's play area is a children's wildlife area with sculptural features in wood. Improvements in Memorial Park in 2020 included work to paths, fencing and re-purposing of one or more tennis courts due to the impact of adjacent mature trees. In one of the disused tennis courts outdoor gym equipment has been installed together with raised planters and other green initiatives to support pollinators and other wildlife. The outdoor gym equipment was funded through LB Waltham Forest's Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL). This fund is collected by the Council from new developments within the borough, and is required to be spent on local infrastructure projects in developed areas. The views of the local community are taken into account in the decision-making process. Other parks have benefitted from NCIL funding, including Ridgeway Park and Cann Hall Park (q.q.v.).

Sources consulted:

Chingford Notes; Walthamstow News, winter 2021, issue 242.

Grid ref:

TQ375924 (537550,192450)

Size in hectares:

3.81

Site ownership:

LB Waltham Forest

Site management:

Urbaser Ltd as part of the Street Care and Associated Services contract with LB Waltham Forest

Date(s):

1930

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:

Premier Park

Memorial Park, May 2020. Photograph Sally Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.