Who are the
Friends of Cannizaro Park?
In 1996, local residents set up the Friends of Cannizaro Park as a voluntary group to try to protect the garden for the long term after years of damaging local authority budget cuts. In the decade that followed the membership grew more than ten-fold and by fund-raising and working in partnership with Merton Council, achieved some notable improvements.
Overnight security was improved, new facilities such as notice-boards, cycle racks and upgraded paths provided; major re-plantings of the azalea dell, iris beds and most recently the water garden carried out; a 50th anniversary ceremony organised; a spectacular new Millennium Fountain commissioned; and artists encouraged to use the park for their original works. Historic sculptures such as the bust of Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie and the statue of Diana the Huntress were restored.
The Friends also organised guided walks, children’s events, and annual lectures on subjects linked with the plants and history of this park and others within the region. Booklets, postcards and DVDs were published for sale, quarterly newsletters distributed, introductory leaflets printed, and this web site created.
Within a few years the group had over 550 members and had inspired creation of similar Friends groups for other parks in the Borough of Merton. It became an essential component in the council's plans for improving the quality of public parks.
Please support the Friends of Cannizaro Park now and help to preserve one of London's finest gardens as a place for future generations to enjoy.
