Crap Towns / Merton / Parks
How many parks and playgrounds has Merton got?
OS maps 37 public parks and gardens in Merton (April 2026): 1.7 per 10,000 people, 32% lower than the typical town's 2.5. There are 62 play spaces, 2.9 per 10,000 people, 52% lower than the typical town's 6.0. 17.1% of its people live more than 400 metres from a park or play space, as the crow flies, 10% higher than the typical town's 15.5%.
| Measure | Here | Typical town |
|---|---|---|
| Public parks and gardens per 10,000 people | 1.7 | 2.5 |
| Play spaces per 10,000 people | 2.9 | 6.0 |
| Square metres of public park per person | 28.0 | 4.5 |
| People more than 400 metres from a park or play space | 17.1% | 15.5% |
| Town | Distance | % more than 400 metres from a park |
|---|---|---|
| Banstead | 9.7 km | 54.9 |
| Worcester Park and Stoneleigh | 5.8 km | 31.5 |
| Kingston upon Thames | 6.7 km | 29.4 |
| Croydon | 9.8 km | 28.5 |
| Sutton | 5.5 km | 24.3 |
| Merton | – | 17.1 |
| Richmond upon Thames | 8.8 km | 14.9 |
| Ewell | 7.8 km | 14.6 |
| Wandsworth | 4.7 km | 12.4 |
| Lambeth | 7.3 km | 5.7 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 9.6 km | 3.3 |
| The typical town | – | 15.5 |