It’s always a joy to return to my home town of Fulham – even if it’s a work day when I have to leave Alfie the Chihuahua at home to be entertained by the dog walkers. So I arrived on the Fulham/Chelsea borders on the King’s Road near Lots Road for my meeting in plenty of time so that I could wander round and see the latest changes to the area. The antique shops are also a bit of a passion.
So imagine my happiness when I discovered Westfield Park – the morning sunshine streaming across the grass and the leaves just starting to turn gold. I started to walk along the path and was delighted to hear the happy sounds of dogs having fun. At first I thought that they Elkhounds but there were too small. I asked their owner who explained that they were Alaskan Klee Kais (the words mean “small dog”!). After chatting for a bit I left them to continue their game of football.
I reflected on the many wonderful parks in the area from my childhood – Normand Park (Lillie Road), Bishop’s Park (Fulham Palace Road), Walham Green, Parsons Green, Eel Brook, Hurlingham Park and the Lillie Road Rec to name but a few. It’s a great area for dog lovers if you add in all the riverside walks as well.
Westfield Park was a new discovery for me and I really liked the two substantial (safely fenced) and modern play areas for children – one for the under 8s and the other for 5 to 14 year olds. And with picnic tables in between. There were also many separate entrances to the park – in the East, West, North and South (take care your dog doesn’t escape!). There was also a sort of mini-Stonehenge rock arrangement with a circle of rocks where you could sit and contemplate the world.
There are public loos in the corner so you won’t get caught short. And I was amazed to discover a “Dog Toilet” with a sand box type area and a sign that proclaims “If your dog uses this facility then you do not need to clean up after it – you will however need to clean up after your dog if it fouls on any other area of the park”. What a great idea!
