CPUG meetings are the main forum for airing public concerns about the way the Park is managed and developed in the future. Whatever your main interest in the Park (playground, children, trees, wildlife, fun, football, tennis, running…) you can influence future developments by engaging with us.
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>> Take a look at the October/November 2025 newsletter
January 2026 meeting
Attendees (those who signed the attendance sheet)
Officers/Reps:Alexandra Hamit (Chair), John Hudson (Vice Chair) Richard Crawford (Biodiversity Rep), Amir Dotan (History Rep), Yvonne Hill and Hilde Oord (Fundraising Reps)
Park users: Cllr Sade Ettii, Betty Manning, Julie Ibbott, Giulia Franceschini, Annette Eglin, Josse McKenney, Rachel Maguire, Shelagh Prosser, Cyndi Diamond, and Janet Chapman.
Dialled in: Sophie Cameron
2. Apologies
Apologies:Isabelle Gore (Website Rep), Margaret Renn (Cafè Rep), Paul Brennells (Over 60s Rep) and Theresa Boden (Vice Chair) – tried to dial in but was unsuccessful, due to system at Clissold House being faulty.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting
Circulated and approved
4. Chairs Report
Café
Statement read from Fink’s regarding progress since opening. No update on handrail. User reported being told they cannot sit in for a coffee during a busy lunchtime. Question on type of birdseed sold, and if duck feed is available. Café Rep Margaret Renn stepped down.
Action: Fliss and Sade to chase on handrail. Alexandra to enquire on protocol for sit-in drinks during busy periods, types of seed sold and to advertise for a CPUG Café Representative.
E-Bike campaign/crossing consultation
CPUG User Survey results and CPUG Clissold Road Parallel Crossing Consultation response shared and discussed with group. Questions on whether planning approval, then further public consultation is required. Questions on whether a Quality Impact Assessment was or will be carried out. Suggestion to link with other User Groups on the issue including Highbury Fields, who have issues with speeding cyclists
Action: Alexandra to find out about QIA and update group on results of the consultation, when they are published.
Biodiversity
Funding for the Tiny Forest School has been approved. Location and uses of space discussed. Sluice being out of action means standing water in the river smells awful and has frozen over, meaning water lilies and other plants may have died.
Action: Alexandra and CPUG Biodiversity Rep Richard to meet with the Council and project managers to discuss plans for Tiny Forest School. Alexandra to get update on sluice.
Self Closing Gates
Awaiting results of walls and railings funding and priorities, for 2026. New playground will have self closing gates as standard.
Action: Alexandra to feed back to group once a decision has been made.
Park Animals
Deer limp healed and sign removed from enclosure. Suggestion that the unused goat enclosure and chicken coop should be opened up to make the deer enclosure larger. Request for feeding information signs near the lakes, and for rangers to intervene when they see members of the public feeding ducks the wrong foods.
Action: Alexandra to liaise with Hackney Parks Rep Georgie Brown.
Defibrillator
Functions, type and cost of defibrillator discussed with group and information sheet on model shared. Funds will come from those raised at the CPUG Quiz Night and the defibrillator purchase is soon to be signed off and the order placed. The defib will be situated on the outside wall of the tennis pavilion.
Chair extended thanks to fundraising reps Yvonne and Hilde. Group extended thanks to those involved in the process.
Action: Alexandra to get purchased signed off. Hilde and Yvonne to move forward with purchase and installation plans, in collaboration with Hackney Council and Hackney Tennis.
Playground Renovations
Group were read a statement from Hackney project manager Bruce Irving, apologising for the lack of contact and delay in work commencing. Bruce confirmed a contractor has now been selected, that a public engagement drop-in session is in the process of being arranged, and that a public consultation will follow that.
Action: CPUG Children and Young Persons Rep Emily to attend arranged meeting with Bruce.
Rose Garden/Fencing
True to scale map and maintenance plan for area still to be produced, cold weather slowing down the planning process.
Action: Alexandra to chase.
Prohibited Action Signs
Update requested on manufacturing fault, but not yet received.
Action: Alexandra to follow up.
Paddling Pool Area
Informational signage requested yet to be erected. Questions on reason for further consultation put to Council, awaiting response. Concerns that building a gym or similar on the site, will reduce habitat.
Action: Alexandra to liaise with park management.
Park Keepers Lodge
Plans for Park Rangers to use the space while the depot is being renovated.
Action: To be kept on agenda to follow up on plans for the building, once staff vacate.
Rough Sleeper
Has moved on from Clissold Park and Butterfield Green, but is still being supported by Street Link and the Council. Request from Cllr Sade Etti, to report anyone you see sleeping rough Street Link. Suggestion for Street Link process and contact details to be put on park noticeboard.
Action: Alexandra to attach details to information board.
Signs on Gates
Park management have agreed to keep CPUG signs in place on railings, until event and notice dates have passed.
No further action.
Noticeboard
Measurements for plexiglass sent to council, awaiting quote.
Action: Alexandra to follow up.
Leaf Blower
User complaints of early morning use of loud petrol leaf blowers reported to the Council, who say they will purchase more electric leaf blowers, but cannot change the schedule, as the leaves need to be ready to be collected by the Trilo when it arrives on site.
Action: Alexandra to follow up purchase of electric leaf blowers.
Duck Ramps
Faulty ramps reported to park management, who will fix them once the weather warms up and they have use of the boat.
Action: Alexandra to follow up.
AOB
Hackney Mosaic
Alexandra suggested we put in an enquiry with Hackney Mosaic, to possibly create one for the park. Group agreed.
Action: Alexandra to send an email of enquiry to Hackney Mosaic
CPUG Officer and Representative Openings
Call for Treasurer and Secretary, and Website and Cycling Reps.
Action: Alexandra to continue to advertise positions.
Cygnets
Question on whereabouts of cygnets. Alexandra updated the group that one had passed after an accident learning to fly, another had an injury so was taken to the Swan Sanctuary, along with another that was found on a local balcony, both are doing well. The remaining cygnets are with the parents in the lakes. Request from Biodiversity Rep Richard Crawford to be kept up-to-date in these instances.
No further action.
4. Key dates
Clissold Park Litter Pick
Saturday 31st January 2026 at 10am
Meet in Rose Garden
Next CPUG Meeting
Saturday 14th March
Saturday 9th May
Saturday 11th July
Saturday 12th September
Saturday 14th November
11am in the New River Room – Clissold House
Contacts
Park Keepers: 020 8356 6834 This connects to a mobile so please leave a message.
Park Areas Manager (North): parks@hackney.gov.uk call 020 8356 4215
Café Management: New details coming soon
Clissold House Venues and Events Officer: venuehire@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 5505
Head of Leisure and Green Spaces: lan.Holland@hackney.gov.uk
Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Parks: caroline.woodley@hackney.gov.uk
Police: 020 8721 2923 or 07879 603 106 Clissold.snt@met.police.uk
Clissold Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8721 2923
To join Clissold Park Users Group
Sign up for our latest news and browse this website / join our Facebook Group / Follow us on Instagram: CPUG@clissoldparkusergroup / and just come to the meetings!