‘End of an era’ for Abney Park as council reclaims management

Ecologist Russell Miller leads a walk through Abney Park. Photograph: Stokey Local

Hackney Council has announced it is reclaiming management of Stoke Newington’s Abney Park.

Abney Park Trust’s lease runs out in May 2015 and the council has decided not to renew it.

In a newsletter titled ‘The end of an era’, Abney Park Trust said it was “proud of its achievements” over the past 23 years.

The Trust said: “The new arrangements will address the very significant challenges ahead and we look forward to working with the Council to deliver a community asset that meets local needs, whilst celebrating its historic, cultural heritage and protecting its significant biodiversity value.”

Hackney Council said that the trust will continue to have “close involvement” through the delivery of an activities and events programme and will continue to receive a council grant to fund it.

The council wants to recruit a park manager and to develop proposals for a programme of investment, which includes repairs to the chapel and a bid for Heritage Lottery Funding.

Councillor Jonathan McShane said: ‘The knowledge and enthusiasm of the Trust will continue to greatly benefit Abney Park, through the Trust’s ongoing role in delivering activities and events in the park.

“We intend to work closely with the Trust towards a longer term goal of them being well placed to take on full management of Abney Park in the future.’