Tamworth Farm Recreation Ground and Allotments

The site for the park was once part of Tamworth Farm and was donated by the Tamworth Trust for public recreation, which opened as Tamworth Farm Recreation Ground in 1926 and is still protected by the Trust. The OS 2nd Edition 25 ins map of 1894 (London CXLII) shows the farm and fields along the London Road. The park had a railed and hedged area of planting along the front boundary to London Road, with roses and trees, and among the facilities was a bowling green adjacent, no longer in use. The OS 1:1250 map of 1951 (TQ2769-A) shows a playground south of the main area of the recreation ground, with the bowling green and tennis court in the south, and further tennis courts in the north where they remain today; a bandstand and drinking fountain are marked as well as the Refreshment Room, also shown on the later revision of 1973, now a children's centre. The park had fine bedding displays as well as sports facilities. A number of photographs in Merton Memories show the elaborate floral displays and carpet bedding in the park, with floral shields depicting important events such as the granting of Mitcham's Coat of Arms in 1934, the Coronation in 1953, the XVI Olympiad in 1956, World Refugee Year, Fifty Years of Woodcraft Folk in 1975, the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, and Centenaries such as that of the Boy Scout Movement in 1957, the British Red Cross in 1963 and the Cyclists Touring Club 1878-1978. Other aspects of Mitcham's history were celebrated in planting, such as the lavender fields that once covered the area. Sports played here included netball. New facilities have been laid out since 2004 and include a Splash pad water play area, ball court and tennis courts.