Morden Park (park) facts for kids
Morden Park is a large public park covering about 50 hectares (that's like 123 football fields!). It's located in the Morden area of the London Borough of Merton. This park is super important for nature, so it's called a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation. A big part of it, about 28 hectares, is also a special Local Nature Reserve.
The local government, Merton Council, owns and takes care of Morden Park. Inside the park, you'll find a historic building called Morden Park House, which is used as a place for weddings and other events.
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Discovering Morden Park's Landscape
Morden Park has some interesting features that make it unique.
Ancient Mound and Flowing Brook
One cool thing to see is the Morden Park mound. This mound is a very old site, so old that it's protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's an important historical place that needs to be preserved. Also, a small stream called Pyl Brook flows right through the park, adding to its natural beauty.
Wildlife and Nature in the Park
Morden Park is home to lots of different plants and animals. It's a great place to explore nature!
Old Trees and Bird Watching
You can find some really old oak trees here, with some being over 300 years old! These ancient trees provide homes for many birds. Keep an eye out for colorful green woodpeckers, busy great spotted woodpeckers, tiny coal tits, and even spotted flycatchers.
Wildflowers and Butterflies
The park also has open grassland areas where you can spot beautiful wildflowers. These flowers attract many different kinds of butterflies, making the park a lively place to visit, especially in spring and summer.
Morden Park House: A Historic Venue
The park is actually the grounds of a beautiful old house called Morden Park House.
History of Morden Park House
This house was built in the 1700s and is considered a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important building with historical value. In 1945, the local council bought both the house and the park, opening them up for everyone to enjoy.
Weddings and Events
Today, Morden Park House is mainly used as a registry office. It's a popular spot for people to get married! It also has space for wedding receptions and other special events.
Accessing Morden Park
It's easy to get to Morden Park! You can enter the park from Epsom Road, Morden Lane, and London Road.
Protecting Morden Park: A Community Effort
Sometimes, there are ideas for how to use parts of the park. But the community often works together to make sure the park stays a natural space.
Protecting Green Spaces
In 2008, the local council thought about letting a company build seventeen football pitches in part of the park. Some of these pitches would have even had bright floodlights. However, many people in the community loved the park as it was and didn't want these changes. They spoke up and shared their concerns. Because of these public objections, the council decided not to go ahead with the plan the next year. This shows how important it is for communities to protect their local green spaces!
