Volunteers at South Norwood Country Park feel ignored by Croydon council. They’re frustrated with the lack of support for park facilities and ongoing issues like illegal fishing.

The park has a full-time warden, but groups like the Friends of South Norwood Country Park are crucial too. They feel like their efforts are being overlooked, and it’s frustrating.
There’s a café in the park, and its lease is about to run out. The café owner, Lucy Hopkins, is worried because she hasn’t heard anything from the council about renewing it. Plus, a visitor center that was damaged in a fire is still closed, and there’s a lot of fly-tipping and illegal fishing happening.
Lucy said she’s confused about why the council isn’t engaging with them. They’ve done a lot to improve the park, and it feels like the Mayor is just saying nice things without taking action. She thinks a simple extension for the café would help a lot, but there’s been no sign of that.
The Mayor had promised to help reopen the visitor center, but it’s still locked up and covered in graffiti. Lucy mentioned that the council wouldn’t even let them paint a mural there, which is disappointing.
The park is not just for people; it’s also a home for wildlife. Birds and small mammals thrive there, but illegal fishing is a big issue. Volunteers are worried about the impact of dog-walking vans from nearby areas, which disrupt the natural habitats.
They just want to find a balance between enjoying the park and protecting nature. The park should be a place for everyone, but it’s tough when there are so many dogs running around.
Croydon council and Thames Water have been asked for their thoughts on the situation.