This year has been a difficult year for all with the Covid-19 pandemic, so it is great to focus on good news for one of Redbridge’s parks.

With funding secured from the England & Wales Cricket Board, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure has installed a new non-turf (artificial) cricket pitch at South Park in Ilford.

The new pitch is part of the London Cricket Trust’s project to bring cricket back into parks. The London Cricket Trust is a charitable partnership between the four London County Cricket Boards to invest in non-turf pitches and nets in public parks across the capital and has driven the creation of over thirty new facilities over the past three years.

The pitch at South Park has been provided as a direct result of this project and thanks to a joint venture with the London Borough of Redbridge working in partnership with Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, the London Cricket Trust, England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Essex Cricket in the Community. 

During these difficult times, this is an excellent achievement and the non-turf pitch will provide a new accessible pitch for the community, schools and clubs to enjoy.

The former England Cricket and Essex County Cricket Club Captain said:

“I am delighted to hear that cricket will be going back to another site through this investment from the London Cricket Trust (LCT) for a new Non-Turf Pitch (NTP) at South Park in Redbridge.

With all the hard work going on at Essex Cricket by engaging with the local community, it is apparent that demand outweighs supply. In times like this the passionate diverse local cricket loving community, who have turned to cricket to escape for their leisure time, will have an asset on their doorstep to enjoy for years ahead.

I am excited in seeing programmes and cricket projects develop at the park and well done to everyone involved in ensuring that this park, which has not been used for formal cricket in many years, can now see the sport being enjoyed once again”

Nasser Hussain

The Leader of Redbridge Council commented:

“I grew up playing cricket and football in South Park, so I know just how important it is to have quality sporting facilities on the doorstep. The new cricket pitch will make a huge difference to the park and to the thousands of local families who visit every year. Thank you to the London Cricket Trust and our council partners for making this possible.”

Cllr Jas Athwal

The Chair of Vision Trustees said:

“It is fantastic to secure more investment for parks and open spaces. Vision is incredibly proud to host cricket in South Park. It is the most popular sport in our parks, and we are excited to continue developing our partnership with the England Cricket Board to promote the game in Redbridge.”

Martin Solder

Location of other non-turf pitches in Redbridge

In addition to South Park, you will find non-turf pitches at the following locations: Loxford Park, Clayhall Park, Hainault Rec, Goodmayes Park and Seven Kings Park.

The new non-turf pitch at South Park is accessible from South Park Road (entrance adjacent to Golfe Road) or South Park Avenue, Ilford.