place name
Probably a literal reference to its elliptical shape. East Croydon Community Organisation says that this was once a gravel pit, with the aggregate being used for road building. In 1852, part of the Brickwood estate came onto the market and Oval Road was laid out. The construction of Leslie Park Road enabled it to be a through road. No plots were offered for sale on the Oval itself, which was to be a pleasure garden for the general recreation of the plot owners, who were given rights of way over it in perpetuity. But 16 years later, they relinquished those rights and the Oval was sold for housing development.
