“My day job is as a barrister, but I’ve spent 25 years campaigning to restore Crystal Palace Park as a green, historic and recreational resource. I think it’s fair to say that the park is in my soul – something about its landscape, its illustrious history, the amazing remnants of its glory days and, perhaps most of all, the love that the local community feels for it. We’ve got the best chance we’ve ever had of preserving and improving the park for those who come after us, of bringing its history out of the ground and retelling its story. Here, in our little corner of a challenging world, it’s a beautiful project that I’m deeply proud to be part of.”

Martin has worked in the Film and Television industry for over thirty years and has lived in Crystal Palace almost as long. He was the Chair of the Crystal Palace Park Community Stakeholder Group.

“London has many beautiful parks and Crystal Palace Park is surely one of the best. I love the sense of history, its ambitious Victorian grandeur and the fascinating story of moving the glass palace from Hyde Park to South London. Photos of the motor racing circuit and the legendary Bob Marley concert show just what a huge life this park has had. Today it still serves so many parts of our community with sport, music, food and play, all in a wonderfully vast, green setting. I am proud to be a small part of the park’s ongoing journey and in making this a better place for all.”

“It’s a privilege to be involved in what is such a special part of south London… birthplace of the mighty CPFC and venue of one of the great Bob Marley’s last ever concerts. I’m relatively new to the Trust but inspired by local people who never gave up on the park while those in public office were trying to wash their hands of it. The key thing for me is what the park offers our very diverse and dynamic local community, particularly young people.”

“For me, Crystal Palace Park represents the best bits of our corner of south east London – vibrant, active, diverse and friendly. It holds a special place in my heart – my Dad grew up in Forest Hill, and regularly recalls stories of watching racing on the circuit, and of his father visiting the Palace itself. I keep discovering more to our park, and I’m really hopeful we can continue to make it even more inviting, relevant and accessible for everyone.”

“I’m the Managing Director of Reaching Higher a charity close to my heart, focusing on serving and championing young people. I’m also the founder of Sowing & Growing Nursery and Preschool, a business designed to provide high-quality early years education. Outside the realms of work, I have a beautiful family whom I adore and spend my social time being a foodie, going on long walks and keeping up with sport.”

“To me, Crystal Palace Park is a place that inspires joy and pride. This special corner of south-east London is bursting with history, heritage and opportunity. Having grown up locally, the park has been a constant feature in my life. My memories are full of stories of Crystal Palace Park, and what is so special is that this green space can have the same effect on so many others. I am so grateful to be part of the Trust and involved in this exciting chapter for the park and the local communities that it serves.”

“I rediscovered Crystal Palace Park during lockdown. I am passionate about the power of communities and believe the park is a space for everyone, where people can come together. The park inspires my creativity and I hope we can deliver more events like Summer of Play so more people can experience activities in this incredible setting.”

“In my youth I was drawn from the other side of London to the National Sports Centre to watch and participate in a variety of sports. Years later when I moved to south east London, my children learned to swim at the Centre. For me and many others, it was an internal gateway to the wider park, and shares a parallel history: inspiration, achievement, gradual deterioration, and now – at last – the chance of a brighter future. I hope I can play some small part in the ongoing, concerted efforts to renew the entire park as a vital, joined-up space for the community and the wider public to enjoy.”

“Ever since I moved to London over 20 years ago I have been captivated by the iconic radio mast at the top of the hill. When I finally moved down here I was immediately drawn to Crystal Palace Park and was blown away by it. I love the park because I am always learning something new. Whether about a beautiful tree, the local community and how it uses the park, or a glimpse back into history. Even links to my own family as my father-in-law grew his love of motor racing here when he was young. As a civil servant I see the importance of local community action and how it can ripple out into actions of national and international importance. That is what we can achieve in the park together.”

“From the first school sports event at the NSC, I was fascinated by the sheer scale of Crystal Palace Park and the vistas across London. It wasn’t until much later in life when I was privileged enough to be part of the team developing the sustainable regeneration plan for this special park, that I fell in love with this beautiful area of south east London. It represents an important piece of our complex histories, and despite the many years of neglect, the park provides respite for millions of people every year, and is rich in wildlife. I’m grateful for the opportunity we have to conserve and enhance the park for future generations, with broad offerings and activities for our diverse local communities.“

“I am incredibly excited to have joined the fantastic team at Crystal Palace Park Trust. I feel immensely privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with them, alongside partners and the local community, on the regeneration of such a historically significant and special place.”

Annika plays an absolutely vital role for the Trust in coordinating all the critical behind the scenes support that keeps the Trust functioning.

Olisa assists in cordinating the behind the scenes support that is so integral to the day to day functioning of the Trust

"When I moved to Crystal Palace almost a decade ago my imagination was captured by the 'Rusty Laptop', which was then derelict and sorry looking. Seeing pictures from the hey day of the Garden Parties showed me how vibrant this part of the park could be. Joining the Trust team and being able to play a role in maintaining, restoring and enhancing this much-loved park is therefore an absolute privilege."

Will manages the day to day operations in the park covering everything that happens from gardening and tree management to concessions and safety.

Rosie forms part of the Trust’s Park Management team, working to protect, conserve and open up the park for its current and future users.

Olivia ensures the exciting community, commercial events and other activities happen in the park and are carried out safely and sustainably.

Gerry forms part of the Trust's busy Events team, bringing exciting commercial and community focused events to the Park all year round.

Ruth is part of the Trust's busy Events team, bringing exciting events to the Park and helping them run smoothly and safely.

Katie manages volunteering and community engagement in the park, and is also our safeguarding lead.