Morden Park is a 50-hectare (120-acre) public park and Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade 1, in the district of Morden Park in the London Borough of Merton.[1] Of this, 28 hectares (69 acres) is a Local Nature Reserve. It is owned and managed by Merton Council.[2][3] It includes Morden Park House (Registry Office).
Landscape
editThe site includes the Morden Park mound, a Scheduled Ancient Monument,[4] and Pyl Brook runs through.
Biodiversity
editSome oaks are over 300 years old, and bird species include green and great spotted woodpeckers, coal tits and spotted flycatchers.[2] Grassland areas have wildflowers and a range of butterflies.[1]
Morden Park House (register office)
editThe park remains the grounds of the eighteenth-century Morden Park House, in the initial category of listed building Grade II which is used as a registry office, specialising in weddings, having also reception event-hire space for those married in religious or other venues.[5] In 1945 the house and park were purchased by Merton and Morden Urban District Council.[6]
Access is from Epsom Road, Morden Lane and London Road.[6]
Abandoned formal pitches proposal
editIn 2008, Merton Council proposed allowing Goals Soccer Centres to build seventeen football pitches of varying types, many of them floodlit, along with a clubhouse with a licensed bar on part of the park.[7] Following public objections, Merton Council abandoned this plan the next year.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Morden Park". Greenspace Information for Greater London. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Morden Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "Map of Morden Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ Historic England. "Morden Park mound (1002011)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "Register Office". www.merton.gov.uk.
- ^ a b "Morden Park". London Parks and Gardens Trust. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ From the Campaign website: "Save Morden Park - Our Cause". Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
- ^ Cabinet Committee Meeting Document: http://www.merton.gov.uk/democratic_services/ds-agendas/ds-fpreports/833.pdf[permanent dead link]
- ^ News article http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/archive/2009/11/30/news_wimbledon/4761303._Victory_for_local_democracy__as_Morden_Park_football_plans_dropped/