Southwark Park first opened its gates to the public in 1869, and was one of the earliest parks to be opened by the Metropolitan Board of Works. The design of the park is attributed to Alexander McKenzie and covers an area of 25 hectares.
The park boasts London's first public memorial to honour a working class man - a drinking fountain to commemorate Mr Jabez West, a member of a local Temperance Society.
The Ada Salter Garden was opened in 1936 by the London County Council. It was personally designed by Ada, who was at that time on the LCC in charge of London parks. She called it the Old English Garden, but after her death in 1942 the LCC renamed it the Ada Salter Garden in her honour.
In 2001, the park underwent a major refurbishment with £2.5m from the Heritage Lottery Funds.
Many parts of the park were restored to their former glory, including a new bowling pavilion and a new children's play area. The lake was finally restored to its original pre World War II size and the main gates were repaired.
