A walk in the park(st)

Here, available for public consumption for the first time, is an article I wrote during my first year in London (1999-2000), when, to get to know the city, I visited as many of its parks as I could manage (I got up to about 80, including all the parks in London Underground zones 1 and 2). This piece was originally titled 'Green Lungdon' (the memory of which inspired the lame pun for the heading of this entry), which perhaps explains why I never sold it (;-)

Parks peace
Spring has sprung, and what better way to enjoy it than a stroll in the evening sunshine? But when Hyde Park on a Sunday feels like Leicester Square on a Friday night, maybe it’s time to head off the beaten track? Justin Toland goes in search of some of London’s less-celebrated open spaces.

Falcon Park:
A real island of calm. Close to Clapham Junction and surrounded by railway lines, this little-known gem is hidden away down a cobbled side-street. Secluded enough to turn Mondeo Man into Man Friday. Well, almost.
Nearest station: Clapham Junction (BR)

Priory Park:
A pleasant municipal park in dull, semi-urban, Hornsey, Priory Park is not the first place you’d expect to find a budding Alain De Botton. But tucked away in a corner is the ‘philosophers’ garden’, a collection of picnic tables fenced off from the rest of the greenery. Here you can find perceptive comments on the human condition such as “Fuck You”, **** is a suckhood” and “Lady Tease + Shimmers woz ere.” Words that will ring through the ages, I’m sure.
Nearest station: Hornsey (BR)

Postman’s Park:
Halfway between St. Bart’s and St. Paul’s, this tiny enclave is of interest chiefly for a fascinating commemorative wall. Built at the turn of the last century, it celebrates the extraordinary feats of ordinary Victorians who gave their lives saving others. Chill on a bench and drink a toast.
Nearest station: St. Paul’s (tube)

Abney Park Cemetery:
Resting place of Salvation Army founder William Booth, Abney Park abjures the neat lines and uniform plots of your common-or-garden cemetery in favour of a life-affirming wildness – ramshackle, haphazard but free.
Nearest station: Stoke Newington (BR)

Vauxhall Park:
A bit of a curate’s egg and all the better for it – wrought iron trelliswork, miniature townhouses, winos and a bowling green so ill-kempt it could be the perfect venue for a Camper Van Beethoven gig.
Nearest station: Vauxhall (tube/BR)

Wormwood Scrubs:
Fly a kite or kick a ball and spare a thought for all those inside the notorious nick. It looks like three Tesco’s stores stuck together – 23 hours in a supermarket, enough to keep you on the straight and narrow?
Nearest station: East Acton (tube)

Maryon Park:
This natural amphitheatre is bound to bowl you over. Used as a location in Antonioni’s swinging London classic, Blow Up, it also affords some great views of the Thames Barrier. And on a good day you might catch site of an urban fox or two.
Nearest station: Charlton (BR)

Meanwhile Gardens:
At the foot of the Trellick Tower, admittedly this isn’t the most beautiful of spots. But close your eyes and the wonderfully poetic name, evocative of lazy summer’s days on the riverbank, takes hold of the imagination. Open them again and the Grand Union Canal becomes that Arcadian idyll…
Nearest station: Westbourne Park (tube)