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Morley Park is located in West Wimbledon, between Copse Hill and Cottenham Park Road. It has been leased to Merton Council by Berkeley Homes as part of the requirements of the planning consent for the Wimbledon Hill Park development. It comprises playing fields, a pavilion, woodland and meadow. The playing fields and pavilion are leased to the Ursuline High School. The foot and cycle path between Cottenham Park Road and Copse Hill (the north/south path), and the car park accessed from Cottenham Park Road, are also part of the park although not fenced within it. The cottage adjacent to the pavilion is also leased to the Council and the rental income from it should be used for the maintenance and improvement of the park.

News

Berkeley Homes' Drainage Works

Berkeley Homes will retain responsibility for the surface water drains in the park, and the attenuation pond, in perpetuity as they are part of the drainage system for their Wimbledon Hill Park development on Copse Hill.

The drainage works in the park that started in spring 2022, which were scheduled to complete that summer, were mostly complete by autumn 2023. Some remedial work extended into early 2024. However the Council and FOMP are still waiting for the report on the post works survey, and the report on those findings from the Berkeley Homes drainage consultant. Without those we still can’t be sure everything has been done correctly, and that no further works will be required. After a long series of failures to meet promised delivery dates for those reports, we were notified in October 2024 that the drainage consultant company had gone into administration. We do not know what this will mean for the delivery of the reports but it is unlikely to be good news. On the brighter side there hasn’t been any flooding either in or from the park since the since the works were done. The system does seem to be working but it hasn’t been tested in very severe conditions yet.

Whip tree planting

As part of the plan to restore the sloped area below Atkinson Close to woodland we planted 200 whip trees in February 2024. This was done with the help of the Tree Wardens, Explorer scouts from our local group, and a large team of FOMP volunteers. The area planted is at the top of the slope near the park entrance.

Pat's Tree

An oak tree has been planted on the left of the path into the park as you enter it from Atkinson Close. This has been planted to celebrate the amazing contribution Pat Keith made to the creation of Morley Park. It was Pat who had the vision to see that this lovely open space could become a public park and saw the threat from development plans being worked on by the Council back in 1972. She was on the case from the start in 1972 and still playing an active role when the park finally opened in 2019.

Exposed bare concrete retaining wall

The Council has decided it cannot enforce the cladding of the ugly exposed concrete 'retaining' wall near the Atkinson Close entrance with brick, and Berkeley Homes does not have sufficient pride in its work, or concern for its reputation, to do so without being forced. We are disappointed but not surprised by this outcome. Berkeley Homes has agreed to donate £300 to the Friends to fund planting in front of it to try and hide it. We will plant there in autumn 2024.

Access to the Park

Morley Park opening and closing times are the same as other Council parks

There may be some variations in the precise opening times but the Council endeavour to open all parks by 8 a.m. midweek and 9 a.m. at weekends.

Generally the locking process begins around sunset and takes some hours to complete across the whole borough.

Public access

There is public access to all parts of the park except the playing fields when they are in use. There is public access to all paths at all times, including the path around the playing fields.

Park Gates currently open each day:

Cottenham Park Road, Woodland Walk, Atkinson Close

The gate north of the pavilion is normally locked.

The gate south of the pavilion is controlled by the Ursuline High School and not available for public access.

There is an exit only turnstile next to the Atkinson Close gate that is never locked.

Join Friends of Morley Park

The more members FOMP has the more we can do to protect and improve the park. As a member you will get email updates on park projects, issues and volunteering opportunities. Please join or renew your membership here .

Updated: 25 October 2024