The Abney Park restoration project is now well underway. Here’s what you need to know about the plans for Hackney’s magical urban woodland.

Bringing new community spaces

The restoration project will bring Hackney’s many diverse communities into the heart of the park like never before. A new cafe will be built, and filled with information about the park. A community classroom will be built for use by groups, schools and more. And there’ll be workshops and other spaces rented out to local creatives, artisans and others to help the community get the most out of the space. All proceeds will be re-invested into Abney Park – helping to make this magical urban woodland sustainable for future generations of Hackney dwellers.

Boosting biodiversity

Abney Park was the first designated local nature reserve in Hackney. And the park’s status as a haven for flora and fauna won’t change. The restoration project will bring a net gain for biodiversity in the park thanks to green roofs, the creation of new spaces for bees and other insects, and much more. Hackney Council’s Ecology Adviser, the well-known local conservation activist Russell Miller, is working on the restoration project to provide biodiversity advice and support.

Restoring the chapel

The Grade II listed chapel is a gem at the heart of Abney Park. Built by William Hosking, it is the oldest surviving non-denominational chapel in Europe. The restoration project will secure the chapel to protect it from decay and eventual collapse. Once returned to its former glory, it will become a space for music performances, poetry readings, community events and much more. It will also provide a dreamy setting for weddings and other ceremonies.

All income will contribute towards meeting the costs of operating and maintaining Abney Park and its buildings – helping to make this magical urban woodland sustainable for future generations of Hackney dwellers.

Improving access

Abney Park is almost two centuries old, which means it’s currently not as accessible as it ought to be – and that has to change. The restoration project will see an accessible entrance built at the Stoke Newington Church Street gates. The design has been developed in conjunction with Historic England, and has been endorsed by leading disability campaigners as a way of ensuring that everyone can enjoy the park.