Major new upgrades are coming to three Hackney play areas

Hackney Council has launched three public consultations on plans to upgrade play areas in Clissold Park, London Fields (north) and Millfields Park, giving residents the chance to help shape the final designs. 

The upgrades aim to make the play areas more accessible and appealing to a wider range of ages, as well as creating spaces that are welcoming to both girls and boys. 

Plans include adding more swings, slides, seating and trampolines, as well as using planting, logs and boulders to create playful spaces for more risky and exciting play. Proposed improvements at London Fields include making the northern play area bigger so that children across a broader age range can play together. 

The Council is continuing to invest in Hackney’s play areas, with the latest improvements marking the third phase of the borough wide programme of refurbishments, which has seen 13 play areas upgraded and two built since 2020.

Draft designs for this phase of upgrades were shaped using feedback from residents at the start of the year, who shared what they liked about the play areas and what they would want to see improved. 

“We know that children have better physical, mental and emotional health, and even improved learning, when they play outdoors. And these benefits are felt by teenagers just as much as younger children. 

“With many families living in built up areas, without access to a garden, and an increasingly digital world for young people, we’re investing in our play areas to make them appealing, accessible, high-quality spaces where children of all ages want to play.

“We’ve got some exciting improvements in mind for London Fields, Clissold and Millfields playgrounds, but we want to know what you think to help us shape the final designs.”

Cllr Jacob Cable, Cabinet Member for Climate, Clean Air, Energy and Transport

The consultations are open until Friday 6 November for public feedback. Residents can have their say via individual surveys for improvements to London Fields north, Clissold Park and Millfields playgrounds. 

The Council is also holding six pop-up events, giving people the chance to chat about the plans in-person: 

• Clissold Park play area, Saturday 3 October, 9.30am-12.30pm
• Millfields play area, Saturday 3 October, 1.30-4.30pm
• London Fields play area, Saturday 10 October, 9.30am-12.30pm

Half term dates:

• London Fields play area, Wednesday 28 October, 9.30am-12.30pm 
• Millfields play area, Friday 30 October, 9.30am-12.30pm
• Clissold Park play area, Friday 30 October, 1.30-4.30pm