The Friends of South Park
SOUTH PARK
Fulham, London SW6 3EB
South Park is in Fulham, Southwest London.
The original Edwardian walls that surround the park and the Plane Trees planted over 100 years ago create a sense of a place far removed from the hustle and bustle of London. South Park is close to The Hurlingham Club, the River Thames and New King's Road. Within the Edwardian walls, there are 20 acres of open space with something for everyone.
Trees, flowers, grass, fresh air.
South Park is in bloom from early spring right through to the start of winter. Lewis Mock Orange spills over the garden walls, and Turkish Sage, with its green leaves and yellow flowers, is something most people rarely get to see. The roses are a real highlight too, running through every shade from white to yellow to bright pink.The trees put on their own show as the seasons turn. The Lime Trees and Plane Trees come alive in fresh green during spring, and by autumn they shift into a spectacular range of reds and deep browns.
Sport in the park
Football is hugely popular in South Park.Football is hugely popular in South Park. At weekends, the park comes alive with amateur matches and football classes for both girls and boys. During the cricket season, you'll find club games and cricket classes running for boys and girls too. The tennis courts stay busy all year round, with lessons available every day of the week. To book a tennis court, click the link: lbhf.gov.uk/sport/sports-bookings-and-facilities
Tennis coaching in South Park is in good hands, with two fully qualified LTA instructors on site. Greg Bamford can be reached through winningwithsport.co.uk, and Tony Beaton on southparktennis.com
Dog Shows and Picnics in the Park
Every year, the Friends of South Park host their Picnic in the Park day, and the dog show is always a highlight, with plenty of prizes up for grabs. The wider event has stalls selling everything from clothes and cakes to ice cream, pizzas, sandwiches, and lots more besides.
The funfair and the band kick off at 1pm, and hundreds of people settle in on the lawns for the afternoon, enjoying the food, music, sunshine, and the company of friends, family, and of course plenty of dogs.
Dogs in the park
South Park is a brilliant spot for walking the dog. The perimeter paths are just the right length for a proper walk, and the trees, bushes, and grass give even the fussiest dogs plenty to sniff and explore. You'll see every kind of dog here, from Miniature Terriers right up to Great Danes. Most are well-trained, and there's a gated, enclosed area for the more boisterous ones.
The park is shared by children, adults, and dogs alike, so dog owners are asked to behave responsibly and always clear up after their pets.
Please put dog waste into the waste bins throughout the park.
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Ecology Garden
The ecology garden was the inspiration and creation of Beth Patrick. Beth is no longer with us, but she would be delighted to see how the wildflowers and shrubs she planted now put on a wonderful display from early spring right through to the start of winter.
At the heart of the garden sits the pond, which stays busy all year. Fish, dragonflies, and butterflies share the water with ducks, ducklings, and the ever watchful grey herons. Sparrows, blackbirds, jays, wrens, robins, and plenty of other birds come down to drink, making it a lovely spot to simply sit and watch the world go by.
Playground for children
South Park playground is a wonderful spot for young children and their parents. Surrounded on all sides by hedges, discreet fencing, and safety gates, it's a place where you can happily sit and watch or get stuck in with the children.
There's plenty to keep little ones busy, with slides, a zip wire, swings, climbing frames, and wooden ships, all set among the grass and trees. In 2018, the playground was upgraded to make it more accessible for people with disabilities in the community.
PS. This is a dog-free zone.
Friends of South Park
The Friends of South Park (FoSP) is a group of local people dedicated to the ongoing improvement, maintenance, and general well-being of South Park, working alongside the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, the park's owners. As a successful pressure group FoSP have been behind many improvements in South Park. The improvements include the restoration of the Edwardian perimeter walls, the refurbishment of the tennis courts, the installation of new cricket nets, the installation of a children's play area, the resurfacing of the netball courts, and, in 2016, the establishment of the Ecology Garden and Pond.
Membership of FoSP is free, and all park users and local residents are encouraged to join. It's a great place to get involved with planting, weeding and looking after this wonderful park. As well as gardening, we need help with organising Picnic in the Park, the RSPB Bird count, the Butterfly count with Conservation Butterfly, and the Bat Count. Joining FoSP is easy and very quick; we need your name, an email address, and ideally a phone number, nothing more. Just click the membership link at the top of the page, fill in a few details, and send.
The Parks Police
The Parks Police are a reassuring uniformed presence in South Park. They work closely with Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the local community to keep the park a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Each year, the Parks Police put on a fun dog show in South Park, and everyone is welcome to take part. There are prizes for the best puppy, the golden oldie, best in breed, and of course the best-behaved dog as well as the worst-behaved.
All the money raised goes to The Mayhew, a wonderful charity caring for cats and dogs in the community: themayhew.org.
You can contact the Parks Police on 0208 753 5999.
