Clapton Square
Clapton Square sits in a conservation area and is also protected by the London Squares Preservation Act 1931. The site, along with neighbouring St John's Churchyard, contains important and unusual trees and is an environmentally diverse wildlife haven in the centre of Hackney. In 2008 the square went through a transformation with a popular new play area being created through the Play Pathfinder Scheme.
The park was awarded a Green Flag award in 2011. The Green Flag Award Scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country. Hackney currently has thirteen Green Flags - one of the highest totals in London.
Clapton Square goes wild!
Clapton Square is becoming a wildlife haven in the heart of Hackney thanks to efforts of local volunteers. The Clapton Square User Group raised funds at their Halloween event in 2010 to buy materials to make bat boxes.
Local furniture maker and member of the user group Dan Gritten then made six bat boxes, donating his labour due to his passion for the Square.
The boxes will now be put up at the site by Hackney's Parks Service.
Dan Gritten with bat boxes.
Bats traditionally roost in cracks and crevices in trees or buildings but due to the tidying up of parks and houses in recent years there are fewer roosting opportunities - this means the extra places to live provided by bat boxes are really valuable. London Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers also helped Clapton Square's wildlife in May 2011 when they created four insect loggeries at the site. These areas will be used as homes and food by insects, which are then eaten by other species such as birds and bats.
Get Walking, Keep Walking
A mainly urban walk of under an hour which visits the green, historic, village centre of Hackney, which is adjacent to the main shopping street. The route includes quiet roads, paths, main roads and shops and passes Clapton Square which has a new play area. This walk visits St John-at-Hackney Church and St Augustine's Church Tower. For more information see the Get Walking, Keep Walking website.
Amenities
-
Historic water fountain
-
Play area 3-12 years
-
Grass lawn areas
-
Unusual tree varieties
-
Shelter
-
Community planting beds
Clapton Square User Group (CSUG)
A friendly group who meet on the first Sunday of the month for light gardening, discussions, tea and cakes. New members always welcome. Clapton Square User Group have recently undertaken a number of planting days, resulting in the creation of a community herb bed, pumpkin patch and a row of sunflowers. If you would like to get involved, then turn up on the day or contact Neil Burgess, user group chair (see below) for more information.
Contact
Neil Burgess (chair), neil@nbpictures.com
Hackney parks newsletter
If you are interested in being informed of what's happening in Hackney's parks, sign up to our monthly newsletter by emailing parks@hackney.gov.uk
Photo by Tony Pletts
Page updated: 2 Nov 2011
.