Charles Purdom was an author, drama critic, town planner and economist. He was one of the pioneers of the garden city movement and was Finance Director of Welwyn Garden City Limited from 1919 to 1928. He founded the Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City Theatre Society, was the author of many books and produced numerous plays.

Further down Parkway (at number 50) stands St. Francis of Assisi Church. The Church was consecrated in 1935 and is now the parish church for the town. It was originally planned to be three times its size.