Little Ilford Park

What is now Little Ilford Park was formerly two recreation grounds, Little Ilford Recreation Ground and Manor Park Recreation Ground / Athletic Grounds. They were divided by Reynolds Avenue, which then ran up to Church Road. The tract of land to the west of the Roding River was known as Little Ilford Level. The site for Little Ilford Recreation Ground was purchased from J J Bethell in 1909 and that for Manor Park Recreation Ground was purchased from a Mr Watkins in 1912. Both were laid out as relief work under the Unemployed Workmen's Act of 1905. The 1920 25 ins OS map (Essex New Series nLXXXVI.3, revised 1915) shows the two separate grounds divided by Reynolds Avenue. The western Little Ilford Recreation Ground is shown as a rectangular site dominated by an oblong cycle track, with perimeter trees and a diagonal tree-lined path running from northwest corner to an entrance midway along Dore Avenue, between terraces of houses. The eastern Manor Park Recreation Ground, across Reynolds Avenue, is shown with a cycle track to the north marked Manor Park Athletic Grounds (See OS 25 ins Essex New Series nLXXVIII.15). The land of the rest of the park appears to have been artificially raised between 1920 and 1939, and largely used for sports pitches. By 1939 the Avenue stopped at its junction with Dore Avenue and the two recreation grounds had been united, with the triangular area bounded by trees in the west of Little Ilford Recreation Ground laid out with an oval path feature (See OS 25 in Essex New Series nLXXXVI.3, revised 1939). This enclosed garden was created at the south of the main raised area adjacent to lower, triangular gardens from which it is reached by a short flight of steps with stone piers. There is no indication of either of the Cycle Tracks on the 1939 maps. 

By 1960, the garden area in what was Little Ilford Recreation Ground is shown with scattered shrubs, and a playground and public conveniences were now provided to the south; a drinking fountain is also shown near the entrance on Dore Avenue (see OS TQ4385SW - A). This garden later included a pergola feature with brick piers, numerous rose beds, retaining the path layout, with seating, and a number of fine trees. In the area that was formerly the south of Manor Park Recreation Ground tennis courts and a pavilion had been added, and the whole site now named Little Ilford Park. The area north of this, where Manor Park Athletic Ground was previously marked, was shown as Allotment Gardens in 1960, with various ruined structures in the northern part of the area; the 1971 revision (TQ4385NW-B, published 1972) shows this northern area as open space, with a gas holder in the north. This area, also known as Webster's Land has been added to Little Ilford Park in recent years and is a locally important Site for Nature Conservation. This land was left to the residents of Manor Park by a Lt. Col Webster, and predominantly comprises meadowland, with numerous plants, shrubs and small trees that attract a variety of insects including butterflies and grasshoppers. Many of the wildflowers appear to have been introduced. A list of species recorded in 2010 is listed on the Wanstead Wildlife, which also lists ornamental trees in Little Ilford Park, such as Dombey's Southern Beech, Paper-bark Birch, Oriental Hornbeam, Silver Pendant Lime and Red Horse Chestnut. Wanstead Wildlife (https://www.wansteadwildlife.org.uk/) was established by local naturalist Paul Ferris who has lived in Manor Park most of his life and who had published a number of articles on local wildlife in The London Naturalist in 1980 ('The Flora of Southern Epping Forest Part 1: Wanstead Park', Part 2: Wanstead Flats and Bush Wood', Part 3 'Leyton Flats and Bush Wood North', and Part 4 'Gilbert's Slade'). In 1997 he published 'The Flora of the old Redbridge Southern Sewage Works' in 'The Essex Naturalist. In 2009 he was awarded the Richard Fitter Memorial Award at the British Naturalist's Association Annual Conference.

With the construction of the North Circular Road the park lost some of its eastern boundary although it was extended to the north by an area designated as of ecological interest, which was proposed for planting as a new woodland site. In 2011 Newham Council was consulting on a Masterplan for the park's future development, subject to funding being raised.

In 2025 £1.2m Levelling Up Funding from the Government was secured by Newham Council to transform facilities in the park, in particular to provide improved play equipment for younger and older children, improved outside gym equipment and a walking route, and a new cafe. Other improvements included a new pergola and flower beds in the enclosed garden area now designated as Little Ilford Ornamental Garden. Sports improvements included new cricket nets. The park's new facilities were formally opened on 17 April 2025, with a well-attended event enjoyed by residents.