Parks and playgrounds directory

Location

Old Coulsdon, at the junction of Coulsdon Road and Canons Hill.

Area

11 acres 4.45 hectares.

Facilities

Opening times

• Café
• Sports ground
• Senior and junior football pitches
• Changing rooms
• Children's playground
• Toilets

Football pitches and use of the changing rooms must be booked via Sports Bookings on 020 8726 6900.

History

The Park was obtained partly by Public Subscription but mostly by the Urban District Council in 1929 from the owners of the Coulsdon Court Golf Course. The land was sold for use as an open space or pleasure and recreation ground. Grange Park was formally part of Squire Byrons Coulsdon Court Estate.  

The Village War Memorial stands on the edge of the park and takes the form of a simple wayside cross with the inscription, These men of Coulsdon, gave their lives in the War, 1914‐1918. The panels at the base contain the names of the fallen.   The Park lies within the Bradmore Green Conservation Area which was designated in 1968.  

Grange Park is Croydon's first Centenary Field, a living remembrance to those who fought and lost their lives in World War I.

Perimeter path proposal

The Council, alongside local community groups, has been considering a proposal to install a perimeter path within Grange Park. As can be seen and experienced across a number of Croydon’s parks and greenspaces, path networks enable greater accessibility to a wider range of visitors, thus enabling more people to enjoy the surroundings and the associated benefits of access and use of greenspaces. Earlier this year it was decided to progress this proposal to a more detailed design, with the intention to have a path installed for use in summer 2020. It has not been possible to achieve this target, in part due to the pandemic, however the Council would like to reiterate the commitment to this project. It’s not possible to provide a clear date at this time, however the Council will do so as soon as possible, in addition to the next steps outlined below.

Background

After a fundraising campaign, including grant applications, events and crowdfunding, to install a new playground in Grange Park was successfully championed by the Friends of Grange Park (FoGP) in Summer 2016, users of the park were asked, at events in the park and online, what else they would like to see in the park. As well as outdoor gym equipment, a well-supported idea was a perimeter path which would enable individuals with mobility issues and parents and carers with pushchairs to walk around the park in a way that is often difficult and at times impossible. From 2017, council officers have been in discussion about progressing this proposal with the FoGP who, again, have secured the funding to install the perimeter path.

Current status and next steps

Council officers are working with the FoGP to create a detailed design proposal for the perimeter path, details of which will be published on this webpage when available. Specifically, the perimeter path design has to be suitable for the location being in a conservation area and, as such, the design will be in keeping with the current Croydon Public Realm Design Guide.

Contact us about this proposal

Email parks@croydon.gov.uk and your enquiry will be directed to the relevant officers.

Impact of Centenary Field dedication of Grange Park on this proposal

Grange Park is a Centenary Field which is a legal dedication the council, as landowner, agreed to with the Fields in Trust charity. This dedication was agreed in commemoration of the memory of local residents who lost their lives in World War I. The dedication protects these greenspaces for future generations to enjoy. The proposal of a perimeter path will enhance the capacity of the Centenary Field so that more individuals can access and enjoy this greenspace.