Mile End Park is a long, linear site on the banks of the Regent’s Canal, stretching from Victoria Park to St. Paul’s Way. The park has been built up over many years, much of it on land gradually acquired from old housing and industrial areas. The park was rejuvenated at the turn of the Millennium, with new elements added and the previously separated parts drawn together and made far more accessible.The site is made up of linked areas of amenity and flower-rich grassland habitat, with numerous trees, discreet areas of scrub and formal planted beds of aromatic and nectar-rich flowers. Wetland features have been created in three sections of the park.Among the many point of access is the canal towpath. There are formal and informal paths, including separate cycle paths, and numerous seats. Paths are well-graded, making wheelchair access unproblematic. Mile End Park won a Green Flag Award again for 20089. Tower Hamlets Healthy Walkers project uses this site – a Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme; see link for details.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Mile End Park
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 22.66 ha
Description
Wildlife
Trees on the site include Norway maple, London plane, lime, silver birch and ash. The wetland features include a naturalistic area supporting aquatic plants (both native and exotic) and a water-feature with water flowing between concrete-sided pools.The species-rich grasslands support a diversity of colourful wildflowers and are managed as meadows.The park has a number of imaginative features to add interest. These include the Green Bridge, providing a novel means of crossing the busy Mile End Road.Facilities
Information; car parking; cycle paths; playground.
Southern hawker dragonfly © Stephen Frank
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