Hackney Marshes
A multi-million pound improvement plan for Hackney Marshes is being implemented between now and the 2012 Games to provide improved pitches and changing facilities, a refurbished bridge, footpaths, cycle ways, and community facilities.
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.
Hackney Marshes is already internationally known as the spiritual home of Sunday league football, with over 70 matches played every week involving dozens of teams in multiple leagues. There are 82 pitches serving not only football, but rugby and cricket, on North and South Marsh and Mabley Green which are available for use by leagues, schools, community groups and residents.
Other sports facilities include one show pitch, eight junior football pitches, up to 12 mini pitches, three rugby pitches and seven non-turf cricket pitches.
Amenities
- Trim trail
- Bird hide
- Conservation area and tree nursery
- Ranger office
- Emergency phone
- Football, rugby, cricket and mini football pitches
- Education/meeting rooms for hire (in the Hackney Marshes Centre)
- New changing facilities (in the Hackney Marshes Centre)
- Changing facilities in the North Marsh
- Toilets (in the Hackney Marshes Centre)
- Café/bar - opening Spring 2012
Site map
To view the layout of the park download Hackney Marsh site map (PDF, 728KB).
Use of sports facilities in 2012
During the Olympics and Paralympic Games there will be some disruption to the use of the Marshes and we are asking all users to be mindful of this. The Council have asked GLL not to take any bookings at the moment for the facilities on the Marshes and Mabley Green from the 1 June to 30 September 2012 until we have confirmed our plans. However, you will be able to make bookings for this period in due course.
The BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend 2012 has been announced for the weekend of 23/24 June 2012 and the Council and partners are still developing proposals for the use of the Marshes during Games time.
For information about travel to and parking at the venue during the Olympics please see Information for Users (PDF, 276KB).
Hackney Marshes Centre
The Hackney Marshes Centre at South Marsh opened in spring 2011, providing 31 spacious changing rooms as well as educational and community facilities. A new café and terrace with views across the Marshes will open during Spring 2012. See Hackney Marshes Improvements.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 8am-6pm
Mabley Green
Located next to Hackney Marshes, Mabley Green is developing its own sporting and leisure facilities and changing rooms. To find out what's on offer see Mabley Green.
Bookings and enquiries
For bookings on Hackney Marshes and Mabley Green or to find out more about the Hackney Marshes Centre call 020 8986 7955 or email hackneysportsbookings@gll.org. For more information about all sports and leisure facilities in Hackney see Sports and Leisure
Getting to the Marshes
To find out how to get to the Marshes see Getting there.
During the 2012 Games
East Marsh closes to the public from May 2011 and will be leased temporarily to the Olympic Delivery Authority so that work can begin on the Northern Spectator Transport Mall for the Olympic Park. This will become a key access point for coaches, taxis, cyclists, pedestrians and disabled visitors during the Games. East Marsh will be returned to its original use in time for the 2013/14 football season..
Six new full sized pitches are being reinstated on Mabley Green to meet demand whilst the East Marsh is developed for use as the Northern Spectator Transport Mall during the Games. For more information see Mabley Green.
Wildlife on the Marshes
To find out more about the locations of variuous habitats on the Marshes visit Hackney Marshes User Group and go to Hackney Marshes Survey of Habitats on the left hand side of the page. See also the Hackney Marshes Improvements page to find out about Biodiversity on the Marshes.
History on Hackney Marshes
To watch Sunday football video newsreel taken on Hackney Marshes, London see British Pathe website.
Getting involved on the Marshes
To find out how to get involved in the Marshes see Getting Involved.
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
Page updated: 30 Jan 2012
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