CPUG’s public meetings provide a forum for park users to raise questions, discuss issues and hear about developments affecting Clissold Park. Discussions cover a wide range of interests and topics, including the playground, trees and wildlife, dogs, sports and activities, events, facilities and the future management of the park.
Everyone is welcome to attend, contribute to discussions and suggest items for the agenda.
Minutes from previous meetings are available in the meeting archive.
We also share park news and updates and engage with park users on social media:
- Facebook: Clissold Park User Group
- Instagram: @clissoldparkusergroup
- X: @clissoldpeople
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September 2026 meeting
At a glance
- New representatives: Amir Dotan became Website Rep, Dikla Cohen became Fundraising Rep and Ellie Haliday became Secretary. CPUG is now seeking only a Cycling Rep.
- Café access: CPUG discussed adding a contact number for disabled access to planned Clissold House map signage and will pursue the Council’s rejection of a handrail for the House steps.
- Cycling and crossing: CPUG discussed the proposed crossing, e-bikes and delivery riders using the park as a cut-through. The group will explore enforcement options and work with other park user groups through the Hackney Parks Forum.
- Biodiversity: Repairs to the New River sluice are being arranged. New water lilies have been planted, while further birdbox purchases have been postponed until spring.
- Self-closing gates: Following the failure of the latest trial mechanism, the issue has been passed to the Council’s Project Management Team.
- Playground: Final online and on-site consultations on the playground renovation are expected around the end of September.
- Paddling pool and Splash Pad: CPUG is gathering ideas and questions about the former paddling pool area ahead of Council consultation. Concerns were also raised about fencing, Splash Pad management and communication when it is out of operation.
- Park Keeper’s Lodge: CPUG discussed the future of the building once park staff leave following the depot works. A public tour is being explored and questions will be raised about its conservation status and future use.
- Mosaic: CPUG has made contact with Hackney Mosaic and is exploring designs and possible locations for a permanent mosaic in the park.
- Council liaison: Quarterly liaison meetings between CPUG and Hackney Council are to be reinstated to allow more detailed discussion between the two organisations.
- Fundraising and merchandise: CPUG discussed updating the illustrated park map, selling merchandise at meetings, events and more local shops, and potentially adding online ordering to the website.
- Cycling enforcement: Two police stop-and-advise cycling events took place in August and September. CPUG has requested statistics from the local policing team.
- Defibrillator: Thank-you cards have been produced for businesses that donated to the CPUG Quiz Night fundraiser, and a session explaining how to use the defibrillator is planned.
Attendees (that signed in)
Officers/Reps: Alexandra Hamit (Chair), John Hudson (Co-Vice Chair and Treasurer), Paul Brennels (Over 60s Rep), Daphne Steele (Dogs Rep), Lucy Carter (Runners Rep), Dikla Cohen (Fundraising Rep) and Amir Dotan (History Rep).
Park users: Cyndi Diamond, Betty Manning, Yvonne Hill, Kezia Tobin, Joe Hauke, Cllr Rachel Maguire, Cllr George Sheldon-Grün, Penny Crick and Ann O’Callahan.
Dialled in: Theresa Boden (Co-Vice chair)
Apologies: Richard Crawford (Biodiversity Rep) and Hilde Oord.
Minutes of previous meeting July 2026: Available online
Representative Nominations
Amir Dotan – Website Rep
Dikla Cohen – Fundraising Rep
Ellie Haliday – Secretary
Thanks extended to new Reps, to previous Fundraising Reps Hilde Oord and Yvonne Hill and to Amir Dotan for his work on the CPUG website.
Chair’s Report
Cafe access
Suggestion to add contact number for disabled access to planned map signage for Clissold House. Group re-discussed handrail for House steps, the request for which was recently rejected by the Council due to the buildings listed status. Group concluded many listed buildings have handrails.
Action: Accessibility and Disabilities Rep Ruth, and Over 60s Rep Paul, to liaise with Clissold councillors on next steps.
E-bike Campaign/Crossing Consultation
Group discussed progress made on disputing the crossing plans, issued faced with electric and pedal bikes in the park, previous CPUG efforts to have the Council introduce calming measures, and map apps showing cut through across Parks as the quickest route, increasing the number of delivery drivers through the Park. Group agreed the aim is to make roads surrounding Parks safer for cyclists, rather than diverting cycles through Parks, pedestrians. Dedicated pedestrian group suggested. Some user groups in the Hackney Parks Forum, have collectively discussed cycling issues in the green spaces they care for, with a view to take those issues to the Council as a group. Suggestion for temporary Enforcement Officer to be appointed.
Hackney Cycling Campaign to hold a Cyclist Breakfast in the Park on 19th September.
Action: Alexandra to look into Enforcement Officer and discuss next steps with Hackney Parks Forum groups.
Biodiversity
Group informed the LFB only have 2 bowsers which take a long time to fill, so they cannot use them to top up the New River, as it would leave them short in the event of an emergency. Sluice quote received and Council to set a date for repairs. Group discussed newly planted water lilies and postponement of birdbox purchase until Spring. Chair and group extended thanks to Paul for his donation to purchase the lilies.
Action: Alexandra to pass on information when date is set or repairs completed.
Self-Closing Gates
After the failure of the last trial mechanism, the group were informed that the issue is now with the Council’s Project Management Team.
Action: Alexandra to keep updated.
Playground Renovations
Group discussed issues with the playground over the years the and the ongoing consultation process. Group informed that the final online and on-site consultations, are likely to take place at the end of September.
Action: Children and Young Persons Reps Emily and Eleanor to keep updated.
Prohibited action signs
Council liaised with supplier, who suggested double seams for future signage, to prevent tears.
No further action.
Paddling Pool/Splash Pad
CPUG Paddling Pool Statement attached to railings. Ideas for use of the area and questions about the space are being gathered, to submit to the Council before a consultation is published. Group urged to submit questions and concerns when individually responding to the planned consultation. Concerns raised on unsafe fencing around paddling pool. Questions asked on maintenance and management of the Splash Pad, as well as cleaning and opening times of the toilets.
CPUG has asked the Council to be more forthcoming with information and signage, when the Splash Pad is faulty and not in operation.
Action: Hilde to look into survey. Alexandra to put questions raised to the Council.
Park Keepers Lodge
Group discussed current situation with the Lodge being used by park staff while the depot is refurbished, and a possible public tour of the space. Questions on conservation status of the building.
Action: To be kept on agenda while depot renovations are completed and once staff vacate the lodge, questions on planned future use, will be put to the Council. History Rep Amir to arrange tour. Alexandra to ask questions on conservation.
Quote for Noticeboard
Group informed that backboard and locks funded by CPUG have been installed, and discussions on what should be displayed are in progress.
Action: Alexandra to print and hang CPUG notices.
Hackney Mosaic
Contact with HM has been established. Group discussed possible design ideas, and the possibility of asking local schools for input. Risk of theft discussed and it was decided a cemented in installation would be the best option, possibly on the Splash Pad building or laid into the floor on the Parks central hard standing.
Action: Alexandra to look into gathering ideas and to liaise with HM for a quote.
CPUG Representative Openings
Advert for all openings published. We are now only seeking a Cycling Rep.
Action: Alexandra to advertise position.
Fountains and Drains
Group informed that individual cut-off switches have been installed on each tap, so that faulty taps can be turned off while still allowing water flow to the rest of the fountain.
No further action
Clissold Councillors
Group discussed the Hackney Council to User Group Protocol being looked at by the Hackney Parks Forum and the Council, with a view to have it updated, and reduce the requirement for Hackney Council Park Reps to attend 3 User Group meetings per year, instead extending the invite to local councillors.
Action: Alexandra to keep the group updated.
Duck Ramps
Additional ramps have been requested and are awaiting approval from the Council. If they are approved, they will be constructed by staff and installed when the boat is in the park.
Action: Biodiversity Rep Richard to kee updated.
One O’Clock Club
No update on new registration or booking process.
Action: Children and Young Persons reps Emily and Eleanor to chase.
CPUG and Hackney Council Liason Board Meetings
After a meeting with Head of Leisure and Green Spaces at Hackney Council, Ian Holland, it was agreed that tri-monthly meetings between the two organisations would be reinstated, in the hopes it will bring about deeper discussion and more transparency on both sides.
No further action.
Fundraising and Merchandise
Group discussed updating CPUG maps, and issues with selling our teatowels anywhere else but Know and Love, as they order stock and get commission from sales. Group reached out to Anna Hymas for a quote to update and redesign the maps. Suggestion to get quotes from alternative local artists. Suggestion to have merchandise available for sale at meetings and to have stalls at Park and other events, such as the Free Wheelin’ Feastival, St Mary’s Church Christmas event, and the Hackney History Festival. Suggestion to ask Church Street Post Office to sell our postcards. Stock take taking place, with a view to sell merchandise in bulk. Suggestion to set up an online ordering form on the CPUG website.
Action: Caroline to complete stock take, and update group once quote has been received from Anna. Alexandra to pass on quote previously received from local artist. Alexandra to connect Fundraising Rep Dikla and Theresa, to go over what was discussed at the meeting and future steps for updating, creating and selling CPUG merchandise in local shops, and at local events.
Police Stop and Advise Cycling Events
Two events took place in August and September, and CPUG has asked Clissold Policing Team for event statistics, on number of cycles stopped etc
Action: Alexandra to feedback to group once information has been received.
Growing Communities Update
Update on volunteering and other GC activies given to group.
No further action.
Defibrillator
“Thank you” cards printed for all businesses that donated to the CPUG Quiz Night, to raise funds for the defib. Request for GP and CPUG Runners Rep Lucy Carter, to host session to run-through defib use in case of an emergency.
Action: Yvonne to deliver cards. Alexandra and Lucy to liaise on defib run-through.
Key dates for CPUG
World Cleanup Day
Sunday 20th September 10am-1pm
Meet at Clissold House toilets
Final CPUG Meeting of 2026
Saturday 14th November
Hackney Council Parks Department
Café Management
Clissold House Venues and Events Officer
venuehire@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 5505
Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Parks
Clissold Safer Neighbourhood Team
07879 603 106 (please call 999 in an emergency)