Paddington Recreation Ground

The site was was first used for recreational purposes in 1860 when a cricket pitch was laid down by the local church. Paddington Recreation Ground was laid out in 1888/89, as a result of the efforts of R Melville Beachcroft, Treasurer of Paddington Cricket Club, who negotiated the land purchase with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the Paddington Estate. The first stage was a lease on 9 acres on which he organised a Jubilee Festival. Aided by a royal visit and a grant from the local vestry, money was raised for purchase of a larger area under an Act of 1893, which reserved at least 4a for general use. The rest was leased out for sports by a committee. The Paddington Recreation Act enabled the Vestry of Paddington to officially acquire the Ground to 'provide the residents with a public recreational ground'. In 1896 the Recreation Ground was established as a charitable trust enabling it to raise funds for any public recreational' purpose. The recreation ground was subsequently the responsibility of Paddington Borough Council. The LCC provided for other sports including running and cycling tracks. The bandstand in the south-west corner dates from the original layout, and the Pavilion, built in 1888 was originally used as a refreshment pavilion and grandstand, now used as a gym and for meeting rooms. There are notable London plane trees on Grantully Road and railings.

The landscaping in the southern part includes modern shrub borders to the circuit path and a large hedged rose garden in the southern angle, created in memory of Boy Scouts 1939-45 with a grid of paved paths. The landscape in the north is dominated by all-weather surfaces, demarcated from the southern part by a row of mature London Planes. The recreation ground was refurbished in 1987-89 by Ledward Macdonald. 2006/7.