Editing Epsom (section)

==Parks and open spaces==
===Epsom Common===
[[File:Epsom Common, Great Pond - geograph.org.uk - 1054352.jpg|thumb|right|The Great Pond, [[Epsom Common]]]]
During the medieval period, Epsom Common was the manorial waste land<ref name="EEBC_Common"/> and, in the 12th century, the monks of Chertsey Abbey built the Great Pond to rear fish.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eehe.org.uk/?p=25290 |title=Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve Part One: Background and access |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=21 May 2019 |publisher=Epsom and Ewell History Explorer |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622160258/https://eehe.org.uk/?p=25290 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first cottages had been built around the edges of the common by 1679 and by the mid-18th century there were over 30, mostly on the land around Stamford Green.<ref name=Abdy_2001_pp50-51>{{harvnb|Abdy|2001|pp=50–51}}</ref> The Common was purchased by Epsom Urban District Council (UDC) in 1935 and its successor body, the Borough Council, continues to own and manage it today. Together with the adjacent [[Ashtead Common]], Epsom Common comprises a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] and is a [[Local Nature Reserve]]. The {{convert|176|hectare|acre|adj=on}} site has a range of distinctive habitats and is a breeding ground for 59 bird species.<ref name=EEBC_Common/>

===Epsom Downs===
[[Epsom Downs]] and the neighbouring Walton Downs are to the south east of the town and together comprise {{convert|240|ha|acre|-2}} of chalk [[downland]]. The Downs are owned by Epsom Racecourse and are managed by a board of Conservators under the framework of the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984. A number of rare plants are present, including [[Phyteuma orbiculare|round-headed rampion]], [[Thesium humifusum|bastard-toadflax]] and [[Euphrasia|chalk hill eyebright]]. The area provides a habitat for bird species including the [[Eurasian skylark]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/residents/venues-open-space-hire/Epsom-and-Walton-Downs/Epsom%20and%20Walton%20Downs%20Map%20and%20Information.pdf |title=Epsom & Walton Downs: Map and Information |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2 August 2010 |publisher=Epsom and Ewell Borough Council |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610082300/https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/residents/venues-open-space-hire/Epsom-and-Walton-Downs/Epsom%20and%20Walton%20Downs%20Map%20and%20Information.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2013, Epsom Downs has been a [[Site of Nature Conservation Interest|Site of Nature Conservation Importance]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/residents/venues-sport-and-leisure-facilities/EpsomandWaltonDownsHabitatManagementPlan.pdf |title=Epsom & Walton Downs: Habitat Management Plan 2015-2020 |last=Howarth |first=Peter |date=10 November 2016 |orig-date=6 June 2015 |publisher=Epsom & Ewell Borough Council |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804141443/https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/residents/venues-sport-and-leisure-facilities/EpsomandWaltonDownsHabitatManagementPlan.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Horton Country Park===
[[File:Hobbledown Children's Farm, Nilgai.jpg|thumb|right|[[Nilgai]] at Hobbledown Children's Farm, Horton Country Park]]
[[Horton Country Park]] was created in 1973 from two farms belonging to the Epsom Cluster of psychiatric hospitals and is owned and managed by the Borough Council.<ref name="HCP"/> Around {{convert|152|ha|acre}} have been designated a [[Local Nature Reserve]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteLNRDetail.aspx?SiteCode=L1009732&SiteName=&countyCode=41&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Horton Country Park |series=Local Nature Reserves |publisher=Natural England |access-date=26 November 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018003046/https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteLNRDetail.aspx?SiteCode=L1009732&SiteName=&countyCode=41&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |url-status=live}}</ref> The country park includes areas of [[ancient woodland]] and provides a habitat for a wide range of mammal, bird and insect species including the [[European green woodpecker|green woodpecker]] and [[roe deer]].<ref name=HCP/> It also contains a [[golf course]], [[equestrian facility|equestrian centre]] and a [[petting zoo|children's farm]].<ref name=Abdy_2001_p89>{{harvnb|Abdy|2001|p=89}}</ref><ref name=Wakefield_1997_p33>{{harvnb|Wakefield|1997|p=33}}</ref>

===Mounthill Gardens and Rosebery Park===
Mounthill Gardens, south west of the town centre, was formed from the grounds of two adjacent houses, both purchased by Epsom UDC in 1950. The smaller house, Rosebank, had been bombed during the Second World War and was subsequently demolished by the council. The larger house, Mounthill, was used as offices for a time, before it too was demolished.{{refn|The Sadlers Court retirement apartments opened in 1998 on the site of the former Mounthill House.<ref name=Mounthill>{{cite web |url=https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Mounthill%20Gardens%20Accessibility%20version.pdf |title=Mounthill Gardens |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |publisher=Epsom & Ewell Borough Council |access-date=8 June 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608210115/https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Mounthill%20Gardens%20Accessibility%20version.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Morgan_2020>{{cite web |url=https://eehe.org.uk/?p=62160 |title=Mounthill Gardens: A tale of two estates |last1=Reed |first1=Peter |last2=Morgan |first2=Roger |year=2020 |publisher=Epsom and Ewell History Explorer |access-date=5 June 2021 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125190849/https://eehe.org.uk/?p=62160 |url-status=live}}</ref>|group=note}} The {{convert|2|ha|acre|0|spell=in}} of steeply sloping land surrounding the two buildings was converted into a public park that opened in 1965.<ref name=Mounthill/><ref name=Morgan_2020/>

[[File:Rosebery Park, Epsom - geograph.co.uk - 3981517.jpg|thumb|right|The lake in Rosebery Park]]
Rosebery Park, to the south of the town centre, was presented to Epsom UDC in 1913 by Lord Rosebery as "proof of [his] deep and abiding affection" for the town. Rosebery's wish was for the creation of "a&nbsp;public pleasure ground for the resort and recreation of the inhabitants of Epsom." Work to create the formal areas of the park had begun by the outbreak of the First World War, including the enlargement of an existing pond to create the lake. Non-landscaped areas were converted into [[Allotment (gardening)|allotments]] during the two world wars. Today the {{convert|4.5|ha|acre|frac=4|adj=on}} park is owned and managed by the Borough Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Rosebery%20Park%20Accessibility%20version.pdf |title=Rosebery Park |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |publisher=Epsom & Ewell Borough Council |access-date=8 June 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622160255/https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Rosebery%20Park%20Accessibility%20version.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Morgan_Rosebery>{{cite web |url=https://eehe.org.uk/?p=62262 |title=Rosebery Park |last1=Morgan |first1=Roger |year=2020 |publisher=Epsom and Ewell History Explorer |access-date=9 June 2021 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630032058/https://eehe.org.uk/?p=62262 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Recreation grounds===
[[File:Alexandra Recreation Ground - geograph.org.uk - 1115941.jpg|thumb|right|Alexandra Recreation Ground]]
Alexandra Recreation Ground was opened in 1901 on land previously owned by Chertsey Abbey.<ref name=Berry_1992_p52>{{harvnb|Berry|1992|p=52}}</ref><ref name=Alex_Rec>{{cite web |url=https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Alexandra%20Accessibility%20version.pdf |title=Alexandra Recreation Ground |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |publisher=Epsom & Ewell Borough Council |access-date=8 June 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622160255/https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Alexandra%20Accessibility%20version.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The land was purchased by Epsom UDC in response to a public [[petition]]<ref name=Alex_Rec/> and was intended for local residents to use for sporting activities.<ref name=Berry_1992_p52/> During WWI, the football pitches were ploughed and the land was used to grow potatoes. An adjacent chalk pit was filled in 1933 and is now the site of the children's playground.<ref name=Alex_Rec/>

The Court Recreation Ground, to the north of the town centre, is the largest recreation ground in the borough. The land was acquired between 1924 and 1926 and a bowling green was created in 1934. The ground has an [[artificial turf]] sports pitch, five football pitches and three tennis courts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Court%20Recreation%20Ground%20Accessibility%20Version.pdf |title=Court Recreation Ground |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |publisher=Epsom & Ewell Borough Council |access-date=8 June 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608210114/https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/business/Rangers/Court%20Recreation%20Ground%20Accessibility%20Version.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>