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.

Volunteer opportunities in May

Tree walk, Rose garden maintenance, Bioblitz, Community litter pick and Planting bed preparation.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in volunteering activities in the park and learn more about the trees and plants here in May. Full details on the Events page. Hope to see you at some of these events!

Biodiversity in Clissold Park

Take part in our May 2023 Bioblitz – it’s a survey of plants, birds and insects. No experience necessary!
Email the CPUG Biodiversity rep, Richard Crawford, or sign up on Eventbrite
And why not join the new Clissold park Ecology Group by emailing Richard directly.

Find out more about biodiversity and the park

Hackney Council’s draft climate action plan includes these four biodiversity action points:

Increase the biodiversity of green spaces
Increase connectivity between green spaces and create new ecosystems and green corridors
Support community groups and manage land in a way that benefits people and nature, and draws on their knowledge and experience
Improve awareness of biodiversity considerations in relevant decision making processes.

Unless these aims are taken seriously, biodiversity in Clissold park will decline.

Clissold Park is part of the North London ‘Green Grid’ that includes the Walthamstow wetlands, Walthamstow marshes, the River Lea, Springfield Park and the Abney Cemetery local nature reserve to the East, and the Woodberry Wetlands and Finsbury Park to the North. We are astonishingly lucky to live in such a green area of London. Own back gardens, are also a habitat for plants, birds and insects and can provide a ‘green corridor’ between the larger green spaces.

Clissold Park User Group supports the management of our park in ways that benefit people and Nature. We work to raise awareness of biodiversity in the park and to alert decision making bodies to potential threats to local Nature.

Last year, we organised a Bioblitz in the triangle of ground beneath the two ‘elephant’s foot’ plane trees opposite Clissold House. The results were surprising. We found 48 plant species, 13 insect species and 8 bird species in a small area that had been allowed to re-wild over a 3 year period in order to protect the roots of the plane trees. So much life had found a home in the park such a short period. One of the plants is so unusual that it has baffled even the Park keepers.

We are planning to do another Bioblitz in May 2023, but this will depend on whether we can find volunteers to help with the event (it only takes a morning!). If you would like to help with the Bioblitz, please contact the CPUG biodiversity representative, Richard Crawford, at info@clissoldpark.com

Splash Pad

The Splash pad opened for the summer 2023 on 20th May. This year booking is via the Better app used by all Hackney Leisure Centres but 50% of tickets will also be reserved for those who turn up on the day.

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.” Do not hisitate to call the police on 111 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

BBC Antiques Roadshow came to Clissold Park

The Antiques Roadshow visited the park on 10th July 2022: watch the programme

Plans for the Butterfly dome

The Butterfly Dome is going to be used by park rangers and gardeners as a plant propagation and composting area.

Poster and Pocket maps on sale

Pocket map: Our beautiful pocket map and timeline of the park is 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)