Islington park turns over new leaf as Love Islington Parks launches

Islington residents are invited to celebrate the reopening of Biddestone Road Open Space this weekend - an event that also marks the launch of the council's Love Islington Parks campaign.

The 0.15 hectare park in Holloway reopens on Saturday 19 March at 12pm with tree-planting, arts and music as well as sports and play activities for families.

Islington Council has carried out major work including new lawns, trees and playground space with slides, climbing frames, basketball hoop, sandpit, and a new entrance on Holloway Road.  

It also includes a panna football pitch for one-on-one football contests – the first of its kind in an Islington park. The park also has new access paths, accessible for disabled people, and improved security fences and gates.

The reopening of Biddestone Road also launches the Love Islington Parks campaign, which will raise awareness of Islington’s 120 parks and small spaces, which are vital green havens for residents.

It will encourage people to enjoy and respect Islington’s parks and also explain how residents can get involved in supporting and developing our parks through Friends Of Parks groups.

Love Islington Parks Events include pond dipping for children, a Top Dog show and gardening days.  For more information see LIPS2016.eventbrite.com - more events will be added throughout the year.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, executive member for environment & transport, said “Islington’s parks and open spaces make a huge difference to the quality of life of residents, many of whom do not have a garden of their own.  Parks are a vital opportunity for kids to enjoy open space.

“The new-look Biddestone Road Open Space is a major new space where local residents can relax, go for a stroll or take their families to play.

“This is a really valuable green space for residents of Holloway and beyond, and at the beginning of our Love Islington Parks campaign, it highlights how much Islington’s parks offer for local people.”

For more on Islington's parks and green spaces see www.islington.gov.uk/parks.  If you are interested in joining a Friends of Parks group please email greenspace@islington.gov.uk.