Clissold Park User Group (CPUG)

The Clissold Park User Group (CPUG) is a local community group for the people of Stoke Newington in Hackney who appreciate and love their local park.

The group has been campaigning locally for over 20 years and seeks to represent the interests of everyone who uses this very popular park: the walkers, joggers, cyclists, nature lovers, families and free spirits who value the opportunity to enjoy time outdoors in this beautiful and historic space.

Latest news available on the website

A bright new house and park

It is now almost a year since the completion of the work to restore the park and the house. There are still some issues to be addressed around planting and maintenance but overall the park is looking good!

There are many other important elements of the project yet to be developed such as the education and heritage programming and the launch of a new volunteering programme.

A new Park Development Officer has now been appointed and programme of activities and lessons for primary school children is about to be launched.

Getting involved in the park
We are working with Hackney Council to develop a volunteering programme for the park. There will be many different ways in which you can get involved. Please email us if you would like further information.

Trees
Hackney Council has just completed a detailed survey of all 1,000 trees in the park. Some have been found to be damaged or diseased and will have to be felled for safety reasons and others will be reduced in size. Many new trees have been planted already and a plan is being developed for future planting including a policy for memorial trees.

Work is ongoing to produce a guide to trees in the park.

Open House
For the first time Clissold House was part of the London-wide Open House Programme weekend. CPUG volunteers and Hackney Council jointly welcomed over 400 people to look around Clissold House and hear some of its fascinating history. The event was a huge success despite dismal weather on the Sunday and we received a huge amount of positive feedback about the house and the park.

Next year we are hoping that the house and other local buildings can form part of a Stoke Newington visitor route.

The Big Draw
October saw the return to the park of the Big Draw. This was a great family event which brought together around 250 people to create a giant collage of the house made up of small detailed drawings inspired by the architecture and heritage of the house and the park.
Photo: detail of The Big Draw Collage

400 years of the New River
On 29th September 2013 the New River will be officially 400 years old. We are planning a series of events to celebrate this. All ideas and suggestions most welcome.