Abney Park overhaul highlights diverse ecosystem

A fun day in Abney Park at the weekend celebrated the culmination of a £15,000 revamp which has given the green oasis a new lease of life.

People were encouraged to go on self-guided tours of the old cemetery via the new signs installed as part of the overhaul, which began last autumn.

Volunteers – including people with disabilities from Lee House – have worked with staff from Abney Park Trust to plant trees and shrubs, increase habitats for plants, animals and bugs, repair and build benches and litter bins and repair pathways.

Kirsten Foster, trustee of Abney Park said the signs make visitors more aware of the history and the natural richness in the 32 acre park.

“People might walk around and just see an old tree, and not realise the hundreds of creatures that might be living here,” she said.

“It’s quite a special urban woodland and we try and keep as much standing and dead wood as possible which might be cleared away in other sites, because it supports a whole eco system.

Chainsaw wood carver Luke Chapman rustled up two tawny owl statues which will remain in the park.

Ms Foster said: “It’s great because we have tawny owls nesting on the site, it’s so amazing you can do something so delicate with a piece of machinery like that.”

See our photo gallery on the right hand side.