Between 2012 – 2017, Croydon Council delivered a series of restoration works to re-naturalise Waddon Ponds and transform them from a traditional, ornamental setting to that of a more naturalistic wetland.
The first phase of the project was completed in 2012 through a separate ‘Parks to be Proud Of’ scheme; the second phase was completed between 2014 – 2017 through the Living Wandle.
Waddon Ponds is a series of 3 interlinked water-bodies set within a park in a heavily urbanised area of Croydon. Historically they were one of the original sources of the Wandle, but over time as the course of the river has changed, the ponds have become set offline from the main channel.
The wooden toe boarding around the ponds was removed and the banks were graded to create a natural decline into the ponds from the land and planted with a mixed-species, native variety of aquatic plants.
The more naturalistic wetland provides access to nature in a very urban area and also provides a wider range of habitats for amphibians, invertebrates and wildfowl to thrive.
Interpretation panels were also installed to educate visitors about the park’s heritage, encourage people to value its wildlife and increase accessibility to the wider Wandle Trail that runs through the park. Links to these are provided to the right of this page under ‘Resources and Downloads’.
It is hoped that a park volunteer group can be established to care for the park on a long term basis. If you would like more information please contact parks@croydon.gov.uk
The TCV volunteers have a varied task programme across many of Croydon’s parks, if you would like to get involved please visit TCV’s website.
This project was part of the wider Living Wandle Landscape Partnership Scheme, supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
