Clissold Park’s refurbishment is well underway as part of the council’s �8.9 million restoration.

Funding for the Clissold House and Park restoration project was confirmed last year, and Hackney Council is investing �4.1 million in the 15-month programme, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The refurbishment of the pavilion, including new toilets, is expected to be completed next month, when the existing toilet block will be demolished.

The playground will be closed until the spring, when a new adventure playground and multi-use games area will open.

The new area caters for toddlers and older children, and will include a wheels park, five a-side multi-use games area, extended adventure playground, and increased seating provision and picnic spaces.

It will all be set within a ‘play landscape’, created using reclaimed material from elsewhere in the park.

The refurbishment of historical Clissold House is starting to take shape and it is due to open next summer, when it will be available for hire.

Over the next two months, repairs will be made to park paths and further works will be made to the New River, which has now been excavated.

Up to 150 new trees will be planted in the park, and around 60 shrubs, tree stumps and unsafe or dying will be removed before the spring.

Hackney Council’s cabinet member for community services, Councillor Jonathan McShane said: “This is a fantastic project, and the Council is proud that the investment is moving forward as planned and is transforming what is already a wonderful park.

“Once the work is finished, the park will offer local residents an even better place to relax in and enjoy.”