Merton Park is a place in the London Borough of Merton. It is a suburb situated between Wimbledon, Morden, South Wimbledon and Wimbledon Chase. It is 7.3 miles (11.7 km) south-west of Charing Cross. The area is part of the historic parish of Merton.
The approximate boundaries of the Merton Park area can be considered to be Kingston Road (A238) to the north, Dorset Road (B285) and Morden Road (A24) to the east, Martin Way to the south and Aylward Road to the west. Additionally, the area north of Kingston Road between Merton Hall Road, Avebury Road and Kingswood Road is often included. Note that this definition of the area does not correspond directly with the Local Government ward of the same name which for administrative convenience includes areas as far south as Morden South railway station.
The area contains two state schools - Merton Park Primary and Rutlish School (boys) and is almost entirely residential in character without shops or pubs except a bar at the Old Rutlishians ('Old Ruts') playing field pavilion in Poplar Road. The area is centred around the historic parish church, St. Mary's. The church was founded in the 12th century by the Augustinian order of the nearby Merton Priory of which only the Western Gate remains.
A notable feature of the Merton Park Ward is that it regularly returns Independents to Merton Council on which the three Merton Park councillors currently hold the balance of power. Three MPWRA have also been Deputy Mayor of Merton: Peter Southgate in 2005/06, Krysia Williams in 2008/09 and Karin Forbes in 2009/10.
The John Innes Society is a charity that promotes good design and area embellishment in Merton Park.
Read more about Merton Park: History
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