There is a local tradition that Nell Gwyn, the mistress of King Charles II lived there at a later date.
The park was leased by Waterlow to St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1872 to use as a home for recovering patients, and remained the case until 1883.
The park suffered years of neglect and vandalism but was restored with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2001.
It was constructed by Frank Taubamn, and shows Waterlow holding a hat, umbrella and key, the latter of which symbolises his donation of the land to public property.
[5] The park was referenced by Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople in their song "Waterlow", from the 1971 album "Wildlife".