Eel Brook Common

Eel Brook Common was formerly manorial waste, much used for pasture and enclosed by a 12-foot ditch. The name is probably derived from 'Hillbrook', meaning a hill with a brook, rather than a brook with eels. Encroachments for building took place in the late C18th and later building of the District Railway reduced the area, but public opposition prevented the Ecclesiastical Commissioners building on the land between Crondace Road and New Kings Road. Informal recreational use developed in the C19th; it is shown on a map of 1841 as Fulham Park. At this time it extended almost as far west as Parson's Green.

There was political pressure for it to be made into public park from 1866 and it was finally transferred to the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1881 along with Brook Green (q.v.), acquired under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1881. There was a bandstand by 1894, marked on the OS of 1893-94 and a wooden shelter and lodge were erected in the early C20th, the latter used as a café for a time, later boarded up. It was formerly crossed by a number of footpaths, but these were altered in 1921 in order to provide ground for cricket and football. By the 1920s two hard tennis courts had been provided and formal paths had been constructed by 1948. Landscaping is mainly grass with mature London plane trees along paths and around the perimeter. A nursery school built on the site of former public conveniences was demolished in 2003, and two multi-use sports pitches installed, with new paving, planting and grass areas at the Effie Road entrance. The entrance from New King's Road has also been upgraded. The northern part of the park is now dominated by all-weather pitches with high wire mesh fences. There are two under 5 play areas and a play area towards the south west partly shielded by shrubs and pampas grass. The early C20th wooden shelter and a derelict lodge remain in the east corner.