What we do

The Friends of Peckham Rye Park (FoPRP) is a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving and maintaining the historic beauty of Peckham Rye Park and Common. We are instrumental in shaping the future of this important community asset. We look after the park, find out about future plans and canvass popular opinion, organising meetings for members and inviting park officials and councillors to improve how our parks are run. If you care about the Park, please consider becoming a member today.

Wildlife garden

With support from the National Lottery and Southwark Council, the Friends of Peckham Rye Park created the Community Wildlife Garden which we continue to tend and develop. It is an oasis of calm in the middle of the Park. As the garden needs ongoing maintenance, a group of local volunteers work in the garden on the first Sunday of each month from 10am-12pm. All help is very welcome!

Summer Fete and Dog Show

Every year on the first Saturday in September, the Friends of Peckham Rye Park organise a traditional summer fete. It is a wonderful day, bringing together people of all ages from around the area. 

There are lots of fun activities: sack races, Punch and Judy show, coconut shy and a children’s fancy dress competition. At the dog show, prizes are awarded for categories unknown at Crufts. The Friends run stalls where you can buy cakes, tea, beer, Pimms, books and plants. You can also find out how the Friends support Peckham Rye Park and Common. Other stalls are run by community groups and local businesses selling a variety of craft works, clothes, food and more.

The fete runs from 12pm until 5pm and all the funds raised are used to support projects within the Park and Common. The Friends welcome volunteers to help organise the fete and help on the day. Don’t be shy (unless you are a coconut) and come and volunteer your help to make it a great day. (Donations of cakes, books and plants are all welcome)

Tree Trail and Fernery

Two recent projects which the Friends have been instrumental in organising are the Tree Trail and the Fernery. The Tree Trail involved labelling the trees of interest in the Park and creating a booklet describing them: Download booklet here.

The Fernery transformed a derelict site into an area of ferns and other shade-loving plants.