Work will start on refurbished play areas in four Hackney parks later this year - after the Council’s Cabinet approved funding for new swings, slides, roundabouts and adventure play in Hackney Downs, Clapton Common, Stonebridge Gardens and Well Street. 

The Council consulted on proposals for each play area in 2022, with over 800 people having their say on plans for the play areas. Engagement events included pupil forums from schools such as Stormont House, which overlooks Hackney Downs, and Queensbridge Primary School, near Stonebridge Gardens (Snake Park), as well as members of park user groups, resident associations, children’s centres and community groups, who offered their insight and ideas on potential improvements across Well St Common and Clapton Common too. The proposals for each play area follow work to refurbish play areas at four other parks this year. 

Funding has also been confirmed to refurbish the public toilets in Clissold Park, to resurface the 3G football pitch in Haggerston Park with a surface that doesn’t require rubber crumb infill, to explore new uses for the old paddling pool area in Clissold Park and to introduce new air source heat pumps to provide heating for a number of parks buildings, which will reduce running costs and the buildings’ impact on climate change. 

£1m will be also dedicated over the next three years to making sure paths in parks are up to scratch - ensuring that the borough’s parks remain accessible to all. 

To view the Capital Update Report to Cabinet, visit: https://hackney.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s83154/April%202023%20Capital%20Update%20Property%20Disposals%20Acquisitions%20Report.pdf.