Parks and open spaces in Islington

Statue of Sir Hugh Myddleton, surmounting a fountain at the southern end of Islington Green. (November 2005)

The London Borough of Islington is short of large parks and open spaces, given its status in recent decades as a desirable place of residence. In fact, Islington has the lowest ratio of open space to built-up areas of any London borough. The largest continuous open space in the borough, at 11.75 hectares (29 acres), is Highbury Fields.[1]

Islington has access to large open spaces in neighbouring London boroughs. The Islington district of Finsbury Park is next to the southern end of Finsbury Park, in Haringey. The "Green Route" of the Regent's Canal tow path provides access to Regent's Park to the west – in Camden; and Victoria Park to the east – in Tower Hamlets. Many other open spaces such as Clissold Park in Hackney are situated on the borders of the borough. Islington also contains many well-kept public squares and greens, such as Canonbury Square and Thornhill Square.

Because of the perceived open space deficit, many small community gardens grew up in Islington from the 1970s on. Created and maintained by local residents on sites made derelict by the Blitz and redevelopment, not all have survived, but one notable remaining example, open to the public, is Culpeper Community Garden, near the Angel.

Principal open spaces

Caledonian Park
Highbury Terrace on Highbury Fields, the borough's largest open space.

Others

Waymarker for the Islington Tunnel walk

Local Nature Reserves

There are three Local Nature Reserves in Islington, Gillespie Park, Barnsbury Wood, and the part of the Parkland Walk which is in the borough.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.islington.gov.uk/Environment/outdoor/parks/locations.asp
  2. ↑ http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/parks-environment/parks/your_parks/greenspace_az/greenspace_w/Pages/whittington_park.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Environment_and_planning/Parks_and_open_spaces/City_Gardens/bunhill.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.islington.gov.uk/Environment/outdoor/parks/locations.asp

External links