Parks for People
Abney Park is one of London’s “Magnificent Seven” Victorian garden cemeteries and was the first designated local nature reserve in Hackney.
After the burial ground reached capacity in the mid-20th century, the park, including its Grade II registered cemetery and Grade II listed chapel, fell into disrepair. It had been on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register since it began in 1998.
But now, thanks to a successful restoration project run by Hackney Council and The Abney Park Trust, the park has been saved and is no longer considered at risk.
Repairs to buildings and a programme of community engagement are providing local people with opportunities to connect with nature and each other. Improvements include:
- restoring the chapel as a venue for events
- a new café and community space
- making the entrances more accessible and welcoming
- walks, talks and workshops exploring the area’s history and ecology
- opportunities for volunteers to get involved in caring for the park
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “With the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, local experts and volunteers, we have taken care to undertake a restoration that recognises the importance of the history and ecology of this Magnificent Seven cemetery.
“We have also made the park more accessible, and in the midst of it all, retained a vital haven for nature that is key to our commitment to creating a greener, healthier borough.”
