This attractively landscaped park has a good diversity of habitats with a lake, grassland, many fine veteran trees and the springs which give the park its name. These are of considerable geological interest. The park is noted for the superb views across Walthamstow Marshes and the Lea Valley. The Georgian Springfield House (Grade II listed) has a cafeteria with a garden where visitors can sit outside and eat in the summer. A free tree plan of the park is available at the cafe. Most of the park is a Local Nature Reserve, and it retained its Green Flag Award in 2020. The park is very well used for formal and informal recreation and the Capital Ring runs through it.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Springfield Park
Borough: Hackney
Grade: Borough Grade I
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 13.8 ha
Description
Wildlife
The park's lake has been planted with a good range of aquatic plants and it supports a variety of common waterfowl. The grassland contains locally frequent sheep's sorrel in acidic areas. Damp areas with sweet vernal-grass and marsh foxtail occur where springs emerge from the junction between sub-soil gravels and the underlying London Clay. These are all rare habitats in Hackney, while the springlines, which give the park its name, are of considerable geological interest. The mature trees include a few native black poplars, a nationally uncommon tree.Facilities
Toilets; accessible toilets; café; walking routes; bandstand; seasonal athletics track; childrens play area; cricket pitch; tennis courts; table tennis table
Black poplar catkins © James Farrell
Sorrel © Mike Waite
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