Clissold Park User Group (CPUG)
The Clissold Park User Group (CPUG) is a local community group for the people of Stoke Newington in Hackney who appreciate and love their local park.
The group has been campaigning locally for over 20 years and seeks to represent the interests of everyone who uses this very popular park: the walkers, joggers, cyclists, nature lovers, families and free spirits who value the opportunity to enjoy time outdoors in this beautiful and historic space.
» Read more about CPUG
» For general enquiries email info@clissoldpark.com
Park history: Clissold Park for the people
Clissold Park would have been built on in the 1880’s if it wasn’t for a passionate local campaign to preserve it for the public led by Joseph Beck. Read the story and see a slideshow of the turbulent campaign:
» Clissold Park for the people
View the history of our park in words and pictures:
» Park history
Latest news…
» Read our latest News for what is happening in the park during the on-going health crisis
Help us record the park’s wildlife in June
Richard Crawford, the user group rep for biodiversity, is organising a survey of the species living in the park, concentrating on the area around the two large plane trees between the house and the old church.
On the weekend of June 5th and 6th Richard would like some help to identify different species of plants and insects and birds, recording and documenting the findings using Cyanotype printing. He would also like some help in July mounting and framing the prints for an exhibition to be held in the Stoke Newington Meeting House in August.
If you would like to be involved please send an email to info@clissoldpark.com and Richard will be in touch.
Covid-19 and the park
Throughout the pandemic the park has remained open and it is the intention of the Council and park management to keep it open unless the government guidelines prevent it. The playground and skate park are still open. Toilets are available for reduced hours, to allow for additional cleaning. A planned refurbishment of the toilets on the north side of Clissold House will happen before Easter 2021. Alternative toilets will be made available during the works.
The Park Life Cafe in Clissold House is offering take-away service. As of April 12th 2021 there is outside seating available for customer use. There will be no access to the indoor seating areas until restrictions are lifted, which is expected to be after May 17th.
Please remember that social distancing rules are still in place and it is important that people follow the current guidance while using the park.
Litter was an issue during the first lockdown, and we ask that all park users please take responsibility for their own litter. The large skip bins have been removed, but there are still many other bins and recycling points around the park. If they are full please take your rubbish home with you.
We would again like to thank the park staff for their efforts over the past months to keep the park open and safe for the local community.
Email info@hackneyparks.gov.uk for further information or visit the Hackney website www.hackney.gov.uk
New paddling pool consultation
Hackney Council is seeking your views. Instead of the paddling pool, the proposal is to build a brand new children’s splash pad on the bowling green (further away from the road, and closer to other park amenities such as toilets.)
The Council is also keen to hear people’s views on how the current paddling pool space could be used.
» More on the Hackney Council website
Safety in the park
There have been reports of students and young people being mugged and harassed in and around the park. Advice from the local Safer Neighbourhood panel:
“If children feel in any way worried, they should return to a place of safety such as the school or leisure centre. Always where possible ‘buddy-up’ with someone to walk back from school or clubs and keep your phone out of sight. Do not carry money with you and make sure bank details are not held on a phone. Tell an adult in a shop or place of safety such as the school what has happened and ask them to call the police.”
Poster and Pocket maps on sale
Pocket map: Our new beautiful pocket map and timeline of the park is now on sale in the café for £2.50.
It identifies all the landmarks and includes the history of the park and Clissold House, a tree trail and help in identifying the wild water birds on the ponds and New River. It has been created by the CPUG working with local artist Anna Hymas and local historian Amir Dotan with support from Hackney Council. Proceeds will go to the CPUG to help pay for amenities and free events in the park.
Poster: By popular demand we have created an A2 poster version of the map (42 x 59.4cm). Available in the café for £5 (£6 in a cardboard roll). Can also be posted to anywhere in the UK for £10 including packaging and first class postage. Please email us on info@clissoldpark.com to arrange your order.
» View the poster (PDF)