"Strong" committee ready for action
The newly appointed committee of the Friends of South
Park are promising sunny days ahead for one of Fulham’s
best loved open spaces.
The committee was elected at a packed meeting attended
by over 70 people including Andrew Johnson, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham.
It is headed by Chairman Anthony Williams, who was also Chairman of the local residents association PRARA’s South Park Campaign. He says: "The formation of the Friends group is another step towards achieving the major restoration of the park for which local residents have been campaigning for several years. “
The park, which had become very run down, has already seen significant changes including the restoration of four tennis courts, the removal of derelict raised beds and improvements to the appearance of South Lodge.
Now the committee are waiting to find out if South Park is one of ten parks selected by Mayor Boris Johnson’s Help A London Park Scheme to receive grants of up to £400,000 each. A decision is expected in early March.
The appointment of consultants to produce a Master Plan for future improvements to the park is also imminent.
Local people are hoping these plans will see the park restored to former glories. It was opened in March 1904 after being sold to the borough council for £35,000 by Miss Charlotte Sullivan, a niece of Lord Palmerston who lived in Fulham’s most important “manor” house, Broom House and was a major benefactor to the area.
On its opening, the local paper described it as “Possessing over 20 acres, cricket, tennis, plus other open air games were offered and there was a bandstand, refreshment pavilion, ladies and gentleman’s lavatories and a shelter.”
Anthony says: “ The fact that over 70 people attended the inaugural AGM is an indication of how much support the park enjoys. I think we have a strong committee and we now have to work with the Council to secure our objectives for the park."
February 17, 2009
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