The biggest new London park since 2012 has opened in the southwest

While central London continues to build skyscraper after skyscraper, the southwest of the city is busy adding parks. Thanks to the enormous expanse that is Richmond Park, SW is already one of the greenest corners of the Big Smoke. But it’s just got even greener. 

Yesterday (July 9), a brand new park officially opened in Tooting. And it’s the largest park to open in London since the 2012 Olympics. 

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Springfield Park is spread over 32 acres and it’s part of the new Springfield Village, which has been built on the site of a former Victorian mental health hospital and previously underused NHS land. The park has been opening in phases since 2023, but yesterday marked the first day that it was 100 percent available to the public. 

Inside, you’ll find a pavilion café, amphitheatre, youth shelter, play areas, ponds, sensory gardens, 700 new trees, areas for informal sport and a trim trail. 

Mayor Sadiq Khan was there for the park’s big launch. He said: ‘Springfield Park is a great new facility and a key part of the transformation at Springfield Hospital that is providing much-needed affordable homes and green spaces for local people.

‘Access to nature and secure, affordable housing are vital foundations for good physical and mental health, helping Londoners to live well and enabling our communities to thrive. It is a wonderful example of partners working together as we continue to build a fairer, greener and healthier London for everyone.’

Harriet Gladwell-Phillips, the project lead for the Springfield and Tolworth Estate Partnership, added: ‘Springfield Park is a shining example of what can be achieved when healthcare, community, and nature come together.

‘We are proud to have supported south west London and St George’s and the London Borough of Wandsworth in creating a park that not only enhances mental health and wellbeing but also enriches the local neighbourhood.’

The best parks in London, according to Time Out.

Read about the other new park that could be coming to southwest London. 

And the City of London’s biggest and oldest park that reopened after a massive makeover.