Projects

Abney Park

Filed under: Green Space & Conservation  Hackney 

London Park Life: The Abney Park Trust

Abney Park is a 32-acre historic Victorian garden cemetery in the borough of Hackney, where about 220 languages are spoken. The cemetery is now an active learning site and designated local reserve, as well as an urban forest for members of the community to stroll through, walk dogs, and discover the peacefulness of nature.

The staff have recently developed a programme of multicultural events, based around music and crafts, specifically aimed at the local communities that were not using the park.

The 2003 Open Day Festival saw 2,500 people celebrating the park and listening to a wide array of world music, such as a Vietnamese music trio, a Djembe group and a Samba band.

A group of over 50, from the local Orthodox Jewish day care centre, visited over several sessions for activities including a photography project, recycled paper making, and musical history and nature walks.

Although participants had never walked through the park before, they returned with their families to share their experience.

In another instance, a playscheme with another local community centre involved Turkish-speaking children in a range of craft activities and guided walks that were interpreted into Turkish by a local translator.

Funding /Support: English Nature's Wild Space Programme to encourage local people into their local green environment.