{"id":61235,"date":"2026-02-16T07:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T07:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/?p=61235"},"modified":"2026-02-16T12:19:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:19:27","slug":"a-precarious-walk-through-a-waterlogged-south-norwood-park-in-south-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/a-precarious-walk-through-a-waterlogged-south-norwood-park-in-south-london\/","title":{"rendered":"A precarious walk through a waterlogged South Norwood Country Park in south London"},"content":{"rendered":"

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On Saturday, I travelled to Croydon Sports Arena to watch some non league football, and after studying the map thought that a route from\u00a0 Elmers End station through South Norwood Country Park would provide a delightfully scenic option.<\/p>\n

However, I had forgotten about the torrential rain that has been hammering down over London in recent days, and found\u00a0 the footpath submerged under vast, swampy puddles.<\/p>\n

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Undeterred, I decided to carefully navigate my way along the path, at times clinging on to the adjacent wire fencing to avoid a calamitous slip.<\/p>\n

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With some deft footwork, I managed to make it on to dry land whilst keeping my socks dry.<\/p>\n

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Croydon’s website<\/a> has this to say about the park’s history:<\/p>\n

The site was a sewage farm from the middle of the 19th century until 1966 when it fell into disuse. It was declared Metropolitan Open Land in 1982.<\/p>\n

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The country park itself was opened in 1989 after the creation of the pond and wet meadow. With a range of different habitats, the country park is a haven for wildlife and an important site for nature conservation. It is a local nature reserve.<\/p>\n

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The park has an excellent bird record with over 100 different species being sighted each year. The large wetlands attract a wide variety of birds.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Once clear of the boggy section, I enjoyed a lovely walk, heading south west towards Croydon FC’s stadium where I was in for an eleven goal bonanza.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Passing the bulrush.<\/p>\n

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Across the meadow.<\/p>\n

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Crystal Palace transmitter in the distance.<\/p>\n

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Crossing the tram lines.<\/p>\n

Location<\/h4>\n