5/5 Philip T. 1 year ago on Google • 117 reviews
This
is
a
highly
commendable
park,
certainly
outstanding
in
south
London
but,
in
my
estimation
and
experience,
this
place
would
hold
its
own
alongside
the
very
best
examples
of
municipal
recreation
anywhere
in
the
world.
In
fact,
one
single
review
like
this
underserves
the
many
many
individual
gardens
and
other
interesting
offerings
to
be
found
within
the
bounds
of
this
park/common.
Most
of
these
are
worthy
of
5
stars
on
their
own.
Unusual
and
noteworthy
for
south
London
is
the
quality
of
landscape
design
in
each
formal
garden,
something
I
would
normally
associate
with
e.g.
National
Trust
properties
or
the
hoity-toity
perfectionism
of
those
regal
parks
and
squares
of
north
London
where
one
suspects
the
wildlife
such
as
it
is,
are
on
Equity
day
rates,
flown
in
for
the
tourist
trade
😉🤣
Anyhow,
each
of
the
beautiful
secluded
corners
herein
is
fully
mature
and
effortlessly
"zen",
though
behind
the
scenes
I'm
sure
cared-for
meticulously
over
decades
by
legions
of
nameless
altruistic
locals
the
fruit
of
whose
labours
is
a
gift
to
this
city
and
a
wonderful
respite.
Here's
to
them!
Two
other
things
to
note:
1)
the
thoughtful
integration
of
original
natural
features
with
formal
gardens.
Human
recreational
needs
met
without
bulldozing
the
few
wild
parts.
Could
modern
day
park
planners
take
note
(see
Burgess
Park
meddlers)?
Not
everything
has
to
be
committee-planned,
and
a
park
is
not
a
cashcow
to
see
how
many
tawdry
"funfairs"
and
film-crews
you
can
squeeze
in.
Oh,
and
nor
should
nondescript
flat
grass
any
longer
count
towards
your
borough's
green
space;
we
know
this
boring
homogeneity
kills
off
nature.
Look
here
for
inspiration!
-
nature-friendly
diverse
habitats
that
are
also
enjoyable
for
humans
whether
for
exercise,
or
family
days
out,
or
kids
exploring,
or
just
mental
well-being.
2)
actual
public
toilets
that
are
not
closed
or
derelict,
and
seem
to
be
open
and
free
to
use
at
least
a
good
portion
of
the
day.
Other
parks
and
public
spaces
in
the
UK,
we
are
expected
either
to
have
evolved
beyond
toilet
functions,
or
at
least
trained
ourselves
to
limit
them
to
between
9-5.
1 person found this review helpful 👍