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9
(c) Natural Park.
The acquisition of the Tarn, at Eltham, gives Woolwich a natural park—
small it may be, but one which will prove a never-ending source of delight to nature
lovers. It consists of nine acres, one-third of which is water. The adjoining slopes
are thickly wooded. The whole lends itself to preservation in its wild state, with
fish in the lake and a bird sanctuary around. When paths have been made, resting
places provided and wild flowers introduced, one more beauty spot will be available
for nature study, for rest and for recreation.
(d) Playing Fields.
Over 90 acres of playing fields have been provided on the Council's Estates
at Eltham.
(e) Children's Recreation Grounds.
Fifteen in all have been provided; some equipped with open-air gymnasiums ;
some in open areas, some small and tucked away amidst crowded buildings, but all
providing delight and exercise for active healthy youngsters, and diminishing the
risk of road accidents.
The beautification of the Borough is not however confined to open spaces only.
In the streets, trees have been planted, the species varying from street to street.
Roadside verges are to be found in the new wide roads. The unkempt appearance
so often seen there has been eliminated with a fair measure of success by careful
grouping of shrubs of various types.
The open spaces under the control of the London County Council are larger
and they are retained in their natural state as a rule, but in places formal gardens
have been developed.
Woolwich is fortunate in its open spaces, in possessing a Council who recognise
the value of beauty, of natural calm, and of exercise in the open air amidst pleasant
surroundings, in the mental and physical well-being of its citizens, and an engineer
who is capable of giving practical interpretation and expression to this outlook,
with such marked success, in so able, so varied, and so pleasing a fashion, and perhaps
what is more important, a public deeply appreciative of the advantages they now
enjoy.