TheLondon Borough of Hackney, one of the innerLondon boroughs, has 62 parks, gardens and open spaces within its boundaries, totalling 330ha. These provide the "green lungs" for leisure activities.Hackney Marshes contain the largest concentration of football pitches in Europe.
In July 2008, seven Hackney parks wonGreen Flag awards for Clissold, Springfield, Haggerston and Shoreditch parks, together with London Fields,St John's churchyard and Hackney Downs. St John's was also awarded 'Heritage Green Status'.[1] However, by contrast,Abney Park in Hackney was included in theHeritage at Risk Register in 2009 as one of Britain's historic parks and gardens at risk from neglect and decay.[2]
Apart from smaller green areas such as sports grounds and smaller gardens, the following are the major open spaces in the Borough:
In the north of the Borough there are the tworeservoirs (West and East) atStoke Newington.
TheRiver Lee forms the eastern boundary of the borough. Thetowpath is suitable for walking and cyclists. It can be readily accessed from many places, and provides access toHackney Marshes and theLee Valley Park.
TheRegent's Canal and the man-madeNew River also pass through the borough. Towards the east, the Regent's Canal exits the borough into theLondon Borough of Tower Hamlets, it then meets theHertford Union Canal, which forms the southern boundary ofVictoria Park, running to join theRiver Lee Navigation atOld Ford lock. The Regent canal turns south, and meets theRiver Thames atLimehouse Basin. On the west, the Regents canal passes nearBroadway Market, then into theLondon Borough of Islington eventually entering the Islington Tunnel, which is not accessible to pedestrians, or cyclists.
