Norwood Park
Norwood Park is a 13.3-hectare (33-acre) park located in West Norwood. The park is bordered by Elder Road, Central Hill and Salter's Hill in South East London. The park is managed by Lambeth Council and the community group known as “Friends of Norwood Park”. It sits on one of the highest points in Lambeth. For a number of years, the concrete sports pitch has been used by Flatland BMX riders who refer to it as 'The Green Mile' or 'TGM' for short.
History
In the 13th century, the Great North Wood, in addition to being a food source, was "a vital supplier of timber for the Royal Dockyards at Deptford". At one point the land was called Elder Hole Coppice (giving the name to nearby Elder Road). As the wood was gradually lost to city development in the early 19th Century, the remaining 33 acres of green space was finally bought from the then owners the Ecclesiastical Commissioners (paid for by Lambeth Council, London County Council and community donations) in 1903 to develop the park for local residents, officially opening 14 June 1911.
The river Effra also ran through the park, at its southern point. Three eighteenth century cottages were at a point on the park land, separated behind Elder Road by the Effra and a bridge. The houses were slowly removed as the park formalised, one remained and kept as a storehouse until 1942 when it burnt down