During 2023, Clissold Park User Group continued to hold public meetings where park users could raise issues and discuss matters affecting Clissold Park.
CPUG’s recorded activities during the year included biodiversity work and arranging guided tree and ecology walks. Meetings also covered the splash pad, the former paddling pool site, accessibility, cycling, toilets and the playground, café services, dogs, litter and the use of the park for commercial activity.
Biodiversity and nature
CPUG organised biodiversity activities during the year.
A Bioblitz took place at the Dipping Pond in May. Six people attended, with seven invertebrate species and 16 plant species identified.
CPUG also arranged for local tree and ecology expert Russell Miller to lead three guided tree and ecology walks during the year. The first took place in May, with further walks planned for July and October.
At the October meeting, CPUG’s Biodiversity Representative proposed holding an open meeting about the management of biodiversity in Clissold Park in the new year.
Splash pad and former paddling pool
The splash pad was discussed at several meetings during 2023.
The meeting records followed its operation during the year, including periods when it was unavailable because of faults.
The future of the former paddling pool site was also discussed. Park users asked about the planned consultation and put forward views about its future use, including a suggestion that it should become an accessible, low-cost space.
Accessibility
Access to Clissold House was raised during the year.
The June meeting recorded that Hackney Council officers and councillors were to be asked about difficulties gaining access to the house.
At the July AGM, further discussion covered access to Clissold House and its toilets. Alison Heard-Mayer, who volunteered to become CPUG’s Disability Access Representative at the AGM, was to liaise with the Park Manager about disabled access.
Cycling
Cycling through the park was raised at meetings during the year.
At the July AGM, park users raised concerns about cycling speeds and electric delivery bikes. Signage and the park’s appearance as a cycle route on Google Maps were among the possible responses discussed.
Toilets, playground and other facilities
The condition of the park toilets and playground was discussed during 2023.
The meeting records include updates from park management about repairs and proposed improvements. These were Council matters rather than projects delivered by CPUG.
Café services and access, park signage and litter were among other recurring subjects.
Dogs
Dog control was discussed during the year, including proposals being considered by Hackney Council.
At the October meeting, CPUG discussed differing views about dog control. Members were encouraged to respond individually to the Council consultation because CPUG represented park users with a range of views.
Events and use of the park
The effect of events and other activities on the park was discussed during the year.
Following damage associated with a funfair, the June meeting received information from Hackney Council about planned repairs to the affected ground.
The possibility of a farmers’ market in Clissold Park was discussed at the July and October meetings, including concerns about additional pressure on park facilities and the balance between recreation and commercial activity.
CPUG during 2023
At the July AGM, Sophie Cameron was re-elected as Chair, with John Hudson and Theresa Boden re-elected as co-Vice Chairs and Caroline Millar as Treasurer.
Alison Heard-Mayer volunteered to become Disability Access Representative. A number of other representative roles remained vacant.
Find out more
This page provides a summary of activities and issues recorded in CPUG’s meeting documents and other group records from 2023. It is not intended to be a complete record of everything that happened in Clissold Park during the year.
Where an issue was discussed by CPUG but an activity or outcome was the responsibility of Hackney Council or another organisation, it is described as a subject of discussion rather than as work carried out by CPUG.