The park has a fascinating history. The ‘lake’ is actually a Victorian reservoir, built to supply the short-lived Croydon Canal. The canal opened in 1809, but with the arrival of the railways it was soon uncompetitive.  The London and Croydon Railway Company purchased the canal in 1836 and used the canal bed for the railway track once it had been drained. West Croydon Station was built in the canal basin and the Deptford to Norwood line opened in 1839. 

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The lake lay derelict for many years following the closure of the canal, but in 1881 a sports club was formed and the lake became a popular spot for fishing, boating, swimming and ice skating in the winter. Throughout the 1880s, the club grew, ultimately boasting 54 grass tennis courts, making it the world’s largest lawn tennis club. Facilities also included a golf course (in the area between the lake and the current playground), a cricket pitch and a bowling club. Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once played cricket with the Norwood team.​

You can find more about the history of the park on this Croydon Council PDF  and on the Norwood Society’s website.