Wormwood Scrubs,  Friends of the Scrubs and The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust

Wormwood Scrubs Open Space is not a park in the normal sense; it is a unique 75 hectare green space in the heart of London; part designated nature reserve (LNR), site of importance for nature conservation (SINC) and part sports fields. It has been called the most precious natural space in the whole of London. The long neglected but extremely important athletics facility of the Linford Christie Stadium is included within its boundary. The 1879 Wormwood Scrubs Act of parliament preserves the scrubs for “the perpetual use by the inhabitants of the metropolis for exercise and recreation”.

The friends of the scrubs are a volunteer lobby group and registered charity whose  mission is to cherish and protect Wormwood Scrubs Open Space. The Friends of the Scrubs believe this objective is best met when the Scrubs is allowed to be:

“more wild than tamed”

The scrubs is home to hundreds of species of butterflies, protected breeding birds, slow-worms and lizards as well as a remarkable variety of flowers and trees. It is loved by dog walkers, Park Runners, model aeroplane enthusiasts and the sports teams of the Kensington Dragons, London baseball and the nationally successful Thames Valley Harriers athletics team to name but a few. Wormwood Scrubs Open Space feels like a little piece of countryside and a vital outdoor resource - right in the middle of London. And yet it is constantly under threat from development, degradation and encroachment.

The Friends of Wormwood Scrubs are all local people who love this unique place and want to keep its peace and biodiversity for future generations. The friends are not responsible for its management but they are in constant dialogue with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, which is.

.

Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee shares responsibility for management of the Trust with Hammersmith and Fulham Council. The Committee is charged with managing the affairs of the Trust, improving its focus and performance, and ensuring it achieves its charitable objectives. The trust's main activity relates to the maintenance of the scrubs and the Linford christie stadium.