Parks and Green Spaces Strategy update
In May 2021 we published our new Parks and Green Spaces Strategy. This introduced 30 commitments to guide our parks and green spaces over the next ten years. We also committed to updating you on progress each year. This month we publish our annual report, which provides an update on what we're doing to meet the commitments in the Strategy, as well as a sneak peak into some of our future projects.
Recycling Bins
Commitment 24 of the strategy is to "Replace all single use bins with dual use recycling bins". This is progressing well, with all 158 bins in Clapton Common, Springfield Park, St Johns, St Thomas’ and Clapton Square replaced with new dual use ones. Some of the new bins even have litter pickers inside them, which will make it easier for Park User Groups to organise clean up days in their local parks. Last month we replaced all 28 bins in London Fields, and will be moving on to Hackney Downs in the next few months.
Connecting Green Spaces
As part of our Connecting Green Spaces programme, we are improving entrances in some of our parks to make them more welcoming and inviting for people to enter. Work at Daubeney Fields to improve the entrances is coming on nicely, with a number of new boulders recently installed to create playable features at the newly widened openings.
World Clean Up Day
A big Thank You to everyone who helped clean up their local park on World Clean Up Day. 41 volunteers picked up 47 bags of rubbish across six of our sites, including a discarded tent, a backpack, half a skateboard and a hammer! Volunteers also helped clean Clapton Common Pond and all of the entrance signs at Clissold Park. Thank you all!
Play Area Improvements
Work has now started on transforming the play areas in Haggerston Park, Clapton Square, Stoke Newington Common and Butterfield Green. The play areas are closed during the works, which are due to be completed by the end of the year.
Abney Park
The Tower Theatre recently hosted the premiere of the "Women of Abney" film, a joint production by The Hackney Society and Tower Theatre. The film includes the first female balloonist, the nursing pioneer for whom the Welsh health service is named and a poet who withstood barbaric quackery. You can also now download a special walking tour/map to visit some of their graves.
The Abney Park Trust are looking for a Treasurer. Join the Trust's 10-strong board of trustees and help shape the much-loved park's future. You don't need a finance qualification. Apply here.
Work is progressing well on site at Abney. The photo below shows the new cafe taking shape.
Community Garden Volunteering at Core Landscapes
Core Landscapes transforms underused land into green havens for people and wildlife. They currently maintain 3 garden spaces in Homerton, a number of tree pits and street planters on Wardle St, and a meadow and small orchard in Homerton Grove.
They are looking for regular volunteers to help care for the gardens, plant nursery and other green spaces. If you are interested, visit www.corearts.co.uk/core-landscapes/volunteering/.
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