The playground was set out in 1936 by LCC architects. Substantial refurbishment took place in the 1950s to repair the war damage to the colonnades at which time the decision was also taken to enclose the south end of the east and west colonnades to create more indoor space for children’s activities. Substantial improvements to the listed building and landscape of the park have been completed since 2000 with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and other major Trusts.