Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Hackney
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}
File:Abney park cemetery 2.jpg is now a nature reserve]]
The London Borough of Hackney, one of the inner London boroughs, has 62 parks, gardens and open spaces within its boundaries, totalling 330 ha. These provide the "green lungs" for leisure activities. Hackney Marshes contain the largest concentration of football pitches in Europe.
In July 2008, seven Hackney parks won Green Flag awards for Clissold, Springfield, Haggerston and Shoreditch parks, together with London Fields, St John's churchyard and Hackney Downs. St John's was also awarded 'Heritage Green Status'.Hackney Today 188 21 July 2008 However, by contrast, Abney Park in Hackney was included in the Heritage at Risk Register in 2009 as one of Britain's historic parks and gardens at risk from neglect and decay.[http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/historic-at-risk-register/ English Heritage's 'At Risk' register] accessed 5 July 2010
Principal open spaces
File:Hackney marshes 2.jpg holds the world record for the highest number (88) of full-sized football pitches in one place.]]
Apart from smaller green areas such as sports grounds and smaller gardens, the following are the major open spaces in the Borough:
- Abney Park Cemetery (local nature reserve) – {{convert|12.53|ha|acre|0}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/Hackney_SINCs.pdf |title=Assets Document SINC [Site of Interest for Nature Conservation] spreadsheet |author= |date=n.d. |website=Hackney Council |publisher=Hackney Council |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927071323/http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/Hackney_SINCs.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}
- Clapton Common – {{convert|2.58|ha|acre}}[http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/common_land/decisions/2009/clapton_common_decision_290709.pdf Clapton Common] 30 June 2009 (Planning Inspectorate Casework) accessed 19 Sept 2009
- Clissold Park – ({{convert|22.57|ha|acre}}){{cite web |url=http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/Hackney_SINCs.pdf |title=Assets Document SINC [Site of Interest for Nature Conservation] spreadsheet |author= |date=n.d. |website=Hackney Council |publisher=Hackney Council |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927071323/http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/Hackney_SINCs.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}
- Hackney Downs – {{convert|16|ha|acre}}[http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/common_land/decisions/2009/hackney_downs_28_july_09.pdf Hackney Downs Common] 30 June 2009 (Planning Inspectorate Casework) accessed 19 Sept 2009
- Hackney Marshes – {{convert|138|ha|acre}}[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23711302-details/10m+Olympics+makeover+for+Hackney+Marshes £10m Olympics makeover for Hackney Marshes] 24 June 2009 (Evening Standard) accessed 19 Sept 2009/article.do
- Haggerston Park – {{convert|6|ha|acre}}[http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001182/ Haggerston Park] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010165919/http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001182/ |date=10 October 2008 }} (Green Flag Awards) accessed 19 September 2009
- London Fields - {{convert|12.65|ha|acre}} {{cite web |url=http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/London_Fields_Managment_Plan.pdf |title=London Fields Management Plan 2010 - 2015 updated January 2013 |author= |year=2013 |website=/www.hackney.gov.uk/ |publisher=Hackney Council |page=4 |access-date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718162641/http://hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/London_Fields_Managment_Plan.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}
- Millfields (North and South)
- Shoreditch Park – {{convert|7.7|ha|acre}}[http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP003272/ Shoreditch Park] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922121320/http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP003272/ |date=22 September 2009 }} (Green Flag Awards) accessed 19 September 2009
- Springfield Park (local nature reserve) – {{convert|16|ha|acre}} {{cite web |url=http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/Springfield_Park_Managment_Plan.pdf |page=4 |title=Springfield Park Management Plan, 2011-2016, updated January 2013 |date=January 2013 |publisher=Hackney Council |access-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928072829/http://www.hackney.gov.uk/Assets/Documents/Springfield_Park_Managment_Plan.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}
- Stoke Newington Common – {{convert|2.15|ha|acre}}.{{cite web |url=http://common-land.com/lands/view/2134 |title=Common Land in England Stoke Newington Common |author= |year=2013 |publisher=common-land.com |access-date=27 September 2013}}
- Victoria Park is an {{convert|88|ha|acre|adj=on}} park, bordering on South Hackney, in the adjacent London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
- Newington Green- 2 hectares (4.9 acres)
- Well Street Common – {{convert|8.66|ha|acre}}.{{cite web |url=http://common-land.com/lands/view/2140 |title=Common Land in England Well Street Common |author= |year=2013 |publisher=common-land.com |access-date=27 September 2013}}
Water
File:Stoke newington west reservoir 1.jpg
In the north of the Borough there are the two reservoirs (West and East) at Stoke Newington.
The River Lee forms the eastern boundary of the borough. The towpath is suitable for walking and cyclists. It can be readily accessed from many places, and provides access to Hackney Marshes and the Lee Valley Park.
The Regent's Canal and the man-made New River also pass through the borough. Towards the east, the Regent's Canal exits the borough into the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, it then meets the Hertford Union Canal, which forms the southern boundary of Victoria Park, running to join the River Lee Navigation at Old Ford lock. The Regent canal turns south, and meets the River Thames at Limehouse Basin. On the west, the Regents canal passes near Broadway Market, then into the London Borough of Islington eventually entering the Islington Tunnel, which is not accessible to pedestrians, or cyclists.
City farms
References
{{Reflist}}