The headquarters of the authority are in Myddelton House, Bulls Cross in the London Borough of Enfield, well known in the horticultural world for the gardens developed by E.A.

However, the plan remained dormant till 1961, when Lou Sherman, Mayor of Hackney took up the challenge to regenerate the Lea Valley.

Following royal assent to the Lee Valley Regional Park Act 1966 (c. xli) in December 1966, the authority was formally constituted on 1 January 1967.

20 of those are from riparian authorities (those whose borders are crossed by the park's boundaries) and a further eight are appointed through local councils to represent the remaining 27 London Boroughs.

The park authority is in part funded by a levy (not a precept) on Council Tax bills in Essex, Greater London and Hertfordshire.