South Norwood Lake and Grounds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Norwood Lake and Grounds |
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South Norwood Lake
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | South Norwood |
| Operated by | London Borough of Croydon |
| Status | Open all year |
| Public transit access | 410 bus to Harris City Academy stop |
South Norwood Lake and Grounds is a fantastic park located in South Norwood, a part of the London Borough of Croydon. It's a popular spot for people of all ages to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. The main entrance to the park is on Woodvale Avenue, but you can also enter from Auckland Road and Sylvan Road. This large park covers about 28.5 acres (11.53 hectares), offering plenty of space to explore.
Besides the beautiful lake, the park has many fun things to do. You can find a bowling green, courts for tennis and basketball, and pitches for football and cricket. There's also a playground for younger visitors and a special "trim trail" for exercise. Park rangers work here to keep the area safe and tidy, and they have an office with public toilets.
The Lake's History
The lake in the park has an interesting past. It was originally built as a reservoir for the Croydon Canal. This canal operated from 1809 to 1836, connecting Croydon to the Grand Surrey Canal in New Cross. So, the lake you see today was once an important part of a busy waterway!
Fun on the Water
Today, the lake is a hub for water activities. Local anglers, who are people who fish, enjoy catching different types of fish here. You might find carp, bream, and perch in the lake. The Croydon Sailing Club also uses the lake, so you might see sailboats gliding across the water.
The lake is also home to many amazing birds. You can spot great crested grebes, which are known for their fancy head feathers. Herons are often seen standing still by the water, looking for fish. You might even see bright green ring-necked parakeets nesting on the island in the middle of the lake.
Lake Life and Health
Sometimes, lakes can have problems with tiny living things. In 2004, a type of blue-green algae grew too much in the lake. This caused many fish to die. After that, the main types of fish left were carp and perch. Luckily, the lake has natural food sources for fish, like a special kind of blood worm that lives in the mud.
Norwood Sports Club
The park grounds are also home to the Norwood Sports Club, which has a long history. It was started in 1881 by Alfred Steer. The club first rented 16 acres, which included the lake. Later, in 1888, they rented even more land, adding another 37 acres.
At one point, the Norwood Sports Club was huge! It was known as the largest tennis club in the world, with an amazing 54 tennis courts. The club also offered other sports like bowls, cricket, and golf. However, during World War I, the golf course was taken over for other uses and was damaged. It wasn't used for golf after that.
Later, in 1920, an insurance company called British Dominion Insurance used the grounds for their staff sports. Then, in 1931, Croydon Council bought the original 16 acres of land. The council rented the extra 37 acres in 1933 and bought them in 1936.
The sports club continued to rent most of the land until 1947. Finally, in 1969, the park was fully opened to everyone. The Norwood Sports Club still has some rights to use parts of the park today.
