Selected Report

To: Finsbury Park Management / Haringey Council<br/>Subject: Concerns Regarding the Condition and Safety<br/><br/>Dear Sir/Madam,<br/>I am writing to express my deep concern about the current state of Finsbury Park, which has significantly deteriorated over the past year. The park appears to be in urgent need of maintenance and general improvement.<br/>Many benches around the park are broken or missing seats, and some have been in this condition for at least 12 months, (I have attached photos). There are also multiple health and safety hazards, including the presence of used condoms and human excrement near trees and other areas. It appears that no park staff have been regularly cleaning or maintaining these spaces for a long time, if at all. The ground in several areas seems permanently contaminated, and overall, there is a visible lack of care and supervision by the park-keeping team and its Manager.<br/>Another serious concern is the growing number of tents in the park. While I have genuine empathy for those who are truly homeless, I have spoken with some individuals who appear to be living there to save money rather than out of necessity. Around these tents, there is an alarming amount of rubbish, human waste, and even cooking setups that have caused damage to the ground. I have attached photos for your reference, in case management is not fully aware of the situation.<br/>Two-three years ago there were around 6 tents; now there are more than 20. This shows that the problem is worsening and needs a clear plan of action from the council or park management.<br/>In addition, the park is lacking sufficient bins. Many broken bins have been removed but not replaced, and there are very few new ones provided. This has led to widespread littering, especially by picnic-goers, drinkers, and others who leave bottles and packaging behind. At the very least, there should be a bin placed by all park entrances/exits gate to encourage visitors to dispose of their rubbish properly.<br/>The children’s play areas also require urgent attention. There are broken railings, damaged flooring, and out-of-use benches that have remained unrepaired for months. These are serious safety risks for families who continue to use these spaces.<br/>Finsbury Park has always been a favourite place for my family and friends, but sadly, it no longer feels safe or cared for. It looks increasingly neglected and abandoned.<br/>Before closing this letter, I would like to acknowledge two gentlemen who usually look after the Mackenzie Garden area. They are always polite, hard-working, and clearly take pride in what they do. Although I do not know their names, I believe their efforts deserve recognition, as they are one of the few positive aspects of the park’s current condition.<br/>It is worth mentioning that a very good example can be seen in Clissold Park, which is not far from the area. The management and park team there clearly take pride in maintaining the park to a high standard. They regularly repair or replace broken play equipment, promptly fix or replace bins, and frequently install new benches to improve the environment. If Hackney Council can achieve and maintain such standards, I do not see why Finsbury Park cannot receive the same level of care and attention.<br/>I hope the management and council will take these concerns seriously and take immediate action to restore Finsbury Park to the clean, welcoming space it once was.<br/><br/>Yours faithfully,