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.

10th July: BBC Antiques Roadshow coming to Clissold Park

The Antiques Roadshow is coming to Clissold Park on Sunday 10th July 2022.
» Find out more (tickets are now sold out)

Plans for the Butterfly dome

Find out more and how you can help

The User Group took on responsibility for the park Butterfly Dome in 2019, but we have been unable to do anything with it since the start of the pandemic. Now that we are allowed to organise group activities again we are going restart work in the dome.

The plan is to grow plants which will be eaten by native caterpillar species in the dome, buy in caterpillars from commercial organisations and feed them up in the safe environment of the dome. Once they pupate into butterflies we will release them and hope to establish breeding colonies in the park.

Before the lockdowns, some planting was done in the dome and we have had enough access to be able to keep most, though sadly not all, of this alive. We now need to tidy up the beds in the dome, removing weeds and cutting back where plants have become leggy or too large for the space and adding the waste to the park compost heaps.

If you would like to help out please email info@clissoldpark.com

New Splash Pad works

Work started on the new Splash Pad on the site of the old Bowling Green in April. It is expected to be finished in time for it to be put to some use before the summer ends.
There is bound to be some disruption, but the contractors are aware that they are working in a public place, so hopefully it can be kept to a minimum. For more information please refer to the consultation pages and the outcome of the consultation.

Covid-19 and the park

We encourage people to do whatever they can to limit the spread of COVID-19 by following current government advice, taking sensible precautions to protect ourselves and other park users.

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)