Peckham Rye became a public park in 1868. It was purchased by the Camberwell Vestry from Sir William Bowyer Smith, who was proposing to build houses on it.

The Rye came under huge pressure from the area's very many residents.

In 1894 the adjacent Homestall Farm was purchased and became Peckham Rye Park, greatly augmenting the amount of open space available to the public.