Parks and playgrounds directory

Location

Monks Orchard, beside Long Lane between Bywood Avenue and Mardell Road. The Tram service for the park stops at Arena - Route 2.

Area

15 acres 6.07 hectares.

Facilities

• Woodland beside Long Lane is open all the time the bird sanctuary to the south east is fenced and closed to the public

History

Long Lane is an old woodland that was shown on Thomas Bainbridges map of Croydon in 1800.  The area has remained almost unaltered, although, the surrounding fields have been replaced by houses and gardens.   The land was purchased in 1924 by the Corporation from F.E.Loyd Esq, for public open space.  

Part of the woodland area, which is predominantly Oak, has been fenced of for a bird sanctuary and within this area shrubs and herbaceous plants cover the ground and provide shelter and homes for the birds and other wildlife.  The area under the other trees is mown several times during the summer months to keep it open.