Residents near Wimbledon Park frustrated that park gates don’t open earlier during pandemic

By Davina Hyde

Residents living near Wimbledon Park are frustrated that the park has not opened its gates earlier during the pandemic.

The opening times have not changed in twenty years, and residents feel this does not allow them enough time to exercise before work, or to make the most of the daylight hours.

The entrances in Revelstoke Road, Wimbledon Park Road and Home Park Road open from 8am until dusk during weekdays and from 9am until dusk at the weekends.

Colin Davies, who lives near the park in Stroud Road, said: “With sunrise at 6.30am, it’s very disappointing that Wimbledon Park doesn’t open its gates until 8am during the week and 9.00am at weekends.

“The world has moved on in the current Covid pandemic, lifestyles have changed enormously and we are all being encouraged to work from home and to take regular exercise. Where better place to take it than in the local Park, but only if it’s open.

“Queues are often forming at the Park entrances long before opening times in the forlorn hope that the gates may open early.

“In fairness to Park staff, who have no obligation to do so, they do sometimes open early but with no regularity or set time.

“Our local MP, Stephen Hammond, is fully supportive and his office contacted Merton Council on the matter, but they cited the additional cost as being prohibitive and as the opening times had been the same for almost 20 years, they saw no reason to change them.

“The cost of paying one member of staff to open an hour earlier, at 7am, must surely pay dividends in the long term by improving the health and well-being of the whole local Community.”

Another resident, Amy, said: “I regularly use the park for tennis, walking or to run through and so it makes it quite inconvenient to have to run an alternative route before 8am.

“It’s always much nicer to run in the park than on the pavement or by the road where you have to dodge other pedestrians and cars.”

Nick Steiner, Chair of Friends of Wimbledon Park said: “The opening times of the park was raised at our recent AGM.

“The response from the community has been positive for a 7am start, but negotiations with Merton Council are going to be rather difficult because of the retirement of a key managerial person.

“We will be looking at this further at our next forum meeting on April 20.”

Conservative MP for Wimbledon Stephen Hammond said: “As the days become lighter, the chance to have early morning walk or sports is really appreciated by everyone.

“As some restrictions remain in place, outdoor exercise is really welcome.

“Wimbledon Park residents would really welcome the Park to open from 7 am and some flexibility from the Council would enable this to happen. I hope that Merton will listen and revise the opening hours.”

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick, has recently announced new measures to support the reopening of local high streets.

This includes the £56 million Welcome Back Fund, which will help councils to boost tourism and improve green spaces.