Park of the week

73. Springfield Community Park

Springfield Community Park, in Bounds Green, was created in 2000 as part of a redevelopment of the area, giving people access to a local green space and play facilities. It seemed popular when we were there. I haven’t been able to find out what the land it occupies had been before it was established, except for one source that said it and the space opposite which is now occupied by housing had been the site of a primary school (which wasn’t called Springfield, and I’ve not been able to find out what the park’s named after. Maybe The Simpsons). It's a small open space, with trees around the edge and a wildlife and nature area at one end. On a visit, there’s space to walk and look into the distance, but also a place to be surrounded by trees.

I found this park by looking at a map, then homing in to see whether there was a playground, preferably with a basket swing (I recently found out that’s the real name for “big lying down swing”). It has both, and after the usual wait for little kids to get off Jack got a turn. My reward for hanging around was to walk in the nature area, with Jack trudging along behind me.

The nature area is a small patch of woodland with cherry and mature oak trees, a pond, and a rockery. It’s run by a group of local volunteers, the Friends of Springfield Community Park Nature Area, who maintain it every second Saturday of the month. They plant trees donated by the Woodland Trust, and hold other events, some involving local children. 

As well as the playground, the park has a picnic area, but no café or toilets. It’s wheelchair accessible. There’s no car park but there’s space to park on nearby streets.

Springfield Community Park, Park Road, London, N11 2LQ