Park of the week

200. Ripon Park

Ripon Park, also known as Ripon Way Park, is an 11-acre parkin Borehamwood. 

The land that it now occupies was originally owned by St Albans Abbey, given by Offa, King of Mercia. The builder John Laing purchased a large amount of land in Borehamwood and built estates, with Ripon Park being one such recreation area. The council purchased the land from the British and Dominions Film Corporations in 1955 and established it as a public park.

The park has a children's play area, basketball hoops, and football goals. It has a seven-piece outdoor fitness area including a recumbent bike, treadmill, pull up station, chest press/row combo, and more. Whenever we visit parks that have such equipment, Jack insists on using each piece of equipment once, even those things like flat benches (he usually sits on them). I mainly stand and watch, although occasionally I’ll have a go on a bike as long as nobody else is looking.

There are large areas of mown grass for informal sports and relaxation, tree planting, and a managed wildflower meadow which blooms annually after seeding, enhancing biodiversity. It’s a County Wildlife Site, supporting a diverse range of plant species.

There are also two walking and cycling routes, a shorter “easy access” stroll of 0.1Km and a fitness trail of around 0.6Km. There’s a free car park but no café or toilets. Next to the park is the Three Ways Community Centre, which does have toilets.

Judith Field

Ripon Park, Ripon Way/Arundel Drive, Borehamwood WD6 2ND