Dartnell Park
Heritage
Dartnell Park is registered with the Land Registry Office as "Dartnell Road Wayside Amenity Area".
Croydon Council acquired the land in 1940.The maps segments below show the development that has occured around the Park
This piece of land was owned by Westons and used as a stable for their horses who puuled their dairy carts. In 1923 the site was designated as waste land, and a local fair was held there. Since then the land was used by a coal merchant, a scrap yard (for small planes) and a demolition contractor.
In 1940 it was sold to Croydon Council as part of a larger parel of land, that included Exeter Road and other houses and shops. It was then named "Dartnell Road Wayside Amenity Area".
For many years it remained as a local spot used by local people. Overtime it became neglected, broken seats were never repaired and it was miss-used by dog owners who refused to clear away they left behind.
From 2019 local residents were drawn together to help rescue this waste land. They put forward their plans to re-generate the area into a Park. They joined forces with "The Friends of Addiscombe Railway Park" and got the local Labour Councillors involved.
On the 19th September 2020 they offically launched themselves as a Friends Group of Volunteers and Crowdfunded to raise money for repairs. A number of grants and support were obtained from commercial groups and developers.
The paving was repalced and new seating installed with raised beds and a notice board. Since then fruit trees and flower beds have been introduced.
The Park was offically opened on 21st November 2021 the Mayor of Croydon.
World War 2
A V1 rocket hit near the Park during the second world war.
It hit the allotments which is now the location of the School.
The house next to the Park shows signs of damage from the explosion,
several cracks and repairs are clearly visible.
