Love Parks Week
It is time to celebrate one of Hackney’s greatest assets – its parks. From 15 – 24 July, Love Parks Week will celebrate the borough’s parks and encourage people to visit, enjoy and take pride in their local green spaces.
Hackney is covered by over 300 hectares of green space which range from the largest concentration of football pitches in Europe at Hackney Marshes, to the beautifully historic setting of Clissold Park.
The Council’s dedicated team of park staff work hard to make the borough’s parks look great, but they need help from residents. From putting litter in the bin, to keeping dogs under control, there are lots of little things people can do to keep Hackney’s parks great and enjoyable for all.
Alex Mair, 46, Dalston resident and Gardener at London Fields said: “I’ve lived in Hackney all of my life and I love working in the parks and making the borough look good. I wish people would pick up their litter, the council spends a lot of money picking up litter which we could be spending on other things to improve the parks.”
Hackney’s award winning parks are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. Many people do not have access to a private garden, so parks provide the necessary outdoor spaces for residents to take in fresh air and get out into nature.
Rita Charles, Park Keeper for Haggerston Park, which has a wooded area, sports facilities and is connected to Hackney City Farm, said “I love all the wildlife we have in the middle of the city, parks are great for children to explore. I was weeding around the lake and found a load of baby frogs! The park is not only a nice day out for families, but also provides hands-on education that is fun. Parks are very important to the community. The parks are Hackney’s back garden and are here for everyone to enjoy.”
All park users have the responsibility to clean up and dispose of their rubbish, including dog poo, in the bins provided or at home. Though most people who use parks are considerate, litter and rubbish can sometimes be a problem, especially after hot weekends. Hackney Council employs extra staff in the summer to make sure parks are kept safe and clean, for the wildlife that lives there and for the people who visit.
Love Parks Week is a great way to celebrate Hackney’s parks, we have the most green space in inner-London, and they are at the heart of our neighbourhoods. The council does all it can to keep our parks at a high, award winning standard, but we need everyone to treat the parks with respect and do their bit. Parks are essential places for healthy, happy communities, so we all need to work together to keep our parks beautiful and show our love and appreciation for Hackney’s green spaces.
To find out more about the people who look after Hackney’s parks follow Greener Hackney on Twitter and Facebook. Residents can also share what they love about Hackney’s parks by tagging photos and posts #hackneyparks.
Love Parks Week is a national campaign run by Keep Britain Tidy. More details can be found at http://www.loveparks.org/love-parks-week-is-nearly-here-/2721/2/11/1824/71.
