We’re working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to renovate tennis courts at 11 parks across the borough.
Merton Council and the LTA have embarked on an exciting partnership to refurbish our much-loved public park tennis courts across the borough. The programme is managed by the LTA, and funded by the UK Government, the LTA Tennis Foundation and the London Borough of Merton, will see investment of almost a million pounds in tennis facilities for Merton residents.
In total, 11 tennis venues – 47 tennis courts – will be renovated, ensuring high quality facilities are available for the local community, and you’ll still be able to enjoy free access at the venues where this is already available. This partnership will also help Merton to take another important step forward in our ambition to become London’s Borough of Sport.
These refurbishments mean that during spring and summer 2023 some tennis courts will not be available for use. However, our ambition is to have the majority of courts open in time for the school summer holidays.
Where can I play tennis?
The venues being renovated are the tennis courts at:
- Joseph Hood Recreation Ground
- Nursery Road Playing Fields
- Cottenham Park
- Oakleigh Way Recreation Ground
- Sir Joseph Hood Playing Fields
- Dundonald Recreation Ground
- Holland Garden
- King Georges Playing Field
- Morden Park
- Tamworth Road Recreation Ground
- Wimbledon Park
Not all courts will be closed at any given time, it will happen in phases. However because of the type of work needed, refurbishments must happen in spring and summer when weather conditions can accommodate heavy machinery and support the drying process.
We’ve also made significant investment into our Multi Use Games Areas in Haydons Road, Colliers Wood and Morden Recreation Ground which support free to access multi-sport activity including tennis, basketball, football, netball and cricket. There will be tennis facilities available in Merton for residents to enjoy throughout the whole period.
How do I know which tennis courts are open?
Work is dependent on weather conditions, but we will update the website as work finishes.
To minimise disruption and allow access for the nearby schools, refurbishment of courts at Dundonald Recreation Ground and Nursery Road will take place during the school summer holidays.
What will happen once courts have reopened?
As well as refurbishment of all courts, the project includes improvements to gate access and a new booking system to ensure users will have access to tennis courts at the time of their choosing.
New booking systems and gate access technology means it is now easier to get on court by booking in advance to guarantee availability.
To make sure that the costs of future court maintenance are covered, we are now tendering for a court coaching operator to work with us to bring tennis coaching to all areas of the borough. In the interim period, tennis courts are being managed by our parks contractor idverde.