Inventory Site Record

The park consists of two recreation areas divided by Reede Road, which were at first separately named, but since the 1980s together form Pondfield Park. The land, unsuitable for building, was presented to Barking by the London County Council in the late 1920s. The northern Park had perimeter planting, paths, avenues of trees and is largely playing fields, while the Recreation Ground in the south was laid out with children's playground, paddling pool, drinking fountains and planting.

Previous / Other name:

Pondfield Recreation Ground

Site location:

Pondfield Road/Reade Road, Dagenham, Essex

Postcode:

RM10

What 3 Words:

drips.flesh.belong

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Barking & Dagenham

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Children's playground, I basketball court

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Dagenham East (District) then bus. Bus: 364.

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Research updated:

01/04/2002

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

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

In the late 1920s, the LCC presented 9 acres of land unsuitable for building development to Barking Council - two areas bisected by Reede Road. The northern part (Pondfield Park) was laid out with paths, avenue of trees and perimeter planting, while the south (Pondfield Recreation Ground) contained a children’s playground, paddling pool, drinking fountains, and planting. In the early 1950s the Council wanted to improve the layout of the Recreation Ground but the Ministry of Health refused to sanction a loan for this although the Council proposed to ‘pay out of ready money’. Since the 1980s the whole area is now Pondfield Park, and contains playing fields, rose gardens set in a depressed shallow turfed bowl and some notable trees such as willows and horse chestnuts. 2008: new children's play area was opened.

Sources consulted:

Dagenham Digest, October 1949, March 1955; Dagenham Digest, October 1949 and January 1951

Grid ref:

TQ496852 (549853,185139)

Size in hectares:

5.70

Site ownership:

LB Barking & Dagenham

Site management:

Parks & Countryside Ranger Service

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:

None

Pondfield Park, South, November 1999. Photo: S Williams

Click a photo to enlarge.