Latest Barnard Park Consultation

Posted on 2 July 2021 by dianne

The long-awaited regeneration of Barnard Park is moving ahead. Momentum exists to complete the project after many, many years. It would be an extremely valuable resource for the community.

A consultation on the most recent changes to the Barnard Park masterplan will be open for comment for 4 weeks closing on 26 July 2021. The survey is asking for local views on changes to park pathways and entrances as well as ecological improvements, including an orchard, native hedgerows and a wildflower meadow.

The changes are in response to advice from the Council’s planning team as part of the pre-application process to submit a planning application for the project.

The public engagement exercise will not include discussions of a 9-a-side pitch and the hub building, elements of the plan which have already been extensively consulted upon. The aim is to submit the plans for planning approval in late summer 2021 with working starting in the spring 2022.

Please add your views to the survey, which can be found on the council web site. The web site also addresses frequently asked questions. If you have more questions, email barnardparkimprovements@islington.gov.uk.

Have your say on Park Masterplan changes –Survey closes on July 26

 

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A Flash of Yellow

Posted on 28 March 2021 by dianne

Street joy – crocus on Copenhagen Street

Yellow crocus are bringing cheer to the streetscape at a Barnard Park entrance on Copenhagen Street. You may have passed by the crocus patch. Our volunteers planted 1000 crocus and daffodils this winter as part of the ‘We are Cally’ project. The purpose of this initiative is to make improvements on Caledonian Road and nearby areas. One goal is to strengthen community connections and links with the local parks. The daffs we planted will bloom shortly to brighten up the view from Hemingford Road into the park.

Volunteers dig in daffs to be seen from Hemingford Road

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Spring Flower Show Brings Cheer

Posted on 14 March 2021 by dianne

 

Snowdrops and primulas in the Barnsbury Road border

Spring is here. Even the pandemic can’t stop it! The border along Barnsbury Road in Barnard Park has been blooming since January. Perhaps it brightened up your day if you were passing by. There have been masses of snowdrops and white flowering hellebores to enjoy and yellow crocus around the lime trees.

Next up soon you’ll be able to see bluebells and the purple flower balls of alliums in bloom. Our volunteers were busy all year weeding, mulching and watering to make this spring display. And now it’s showtime. If you would like join in park gardening, just email us at friends@barnardpark.org.

Yellow crocus ring the limes trees

A bright crocus carpet

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Join us for the FoBP AGM on Nov 19

Posted on 24 October 2020 by dianne

Hello everyone,

The Friends of Barnard Park will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday November 19 at 7:30pm. Due to the pandemic, the meeting will be held on Zoom. Everyone is welcome. We would much prefer to hold the meeting in the park but sadly that is not now possible.

You can download the Zoom app on your computer, tablet or smartphone or access it via your browser on your computer. It is easy to use. To attend the meeting, please email us at friends@barnardpark.org. We will send you an invitation with the AGM Zoom link along with information on how the app and the meeting will work. Written questions can also be submitted via email, and will be answered at the meeting.

If access is a problem for anyone wanting to attend the meeting, please let FoBP know and we will try to find a solution. Should there be demand, we will look into audio phone access to the meeting for those without other options. Our hope is to make the meeting as inclusive as possible given the difficult situation with Covid-19.

The agenda will comprise:

1) Welcome
2) Agreeing the Minutes of the AGM 2019
3) Election/re-election of committee members
4) Election/re-election of officers (Chair, Secretary, Vice Chair, Treasurer)
5) Chair’s report on the period May 2019/Nov 2020
6) Treasurer’s Report May 2019/Nov 2020
7) Gardening Report
8) Any Other Business

Nominations are open for the park committee. If you wish to stand please contact us at friends@barnardpark.org. It’s your park.

We will deal with any questions arising at the meeting. But it would help to have them in advance given that this meeting will be accessed remotely.

Hope to see you at the AGM in the new normal.

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Growing Veg in the Playground

Posted on 24 October 2020 by dianne

Children in the Adventure Playground had a good vegetable harvest this year. The young gardeners dug out buckets full of potatoes to eat. They also had a great time. The kids are back in the Adventure Playground after a closure in spring due to Covid-19. The Playground is open to children from age 6 to 13 for play after school and during school holidays. It is a vital resource for parents. Over half-term, the children will be planting onions and daffodil bulbs.

Friends of Barnard Park sadly can no longer work directly with the kids due to pandemic restrictions. It’s a loss because our volunteers enjoy working with the children. The kids like it too. But volunteers continue to tend the playground gardens and help with ground maintenance of the site. Vegetables and herbs grown in the wooden garden boxes around the playground amphitheatre include rhubarb, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, sage, and mint.  The volunteers are also making compost to improve the soil.

The girls wash fresh potatoes getting the spuds ready for cooking

 

 

 

 

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Good Vibe and Park Gardening

Posted on 18 June 2020 by dianne

Spring flowering border on Barnsbury Road

There’s been a silver lining to the Covid-19 lockdown in Barnard Park. It has brought many new people into the community green space. The children’s playground and the Adventure Playground are closed for the moment. But the main park is buzzing on sunny days filled with families and parkgoers enjoying the outdoors, doing exercise and running. It’s a friendly atmosphere. Almost everyone has obeyed the rules.

Park gardening volunteers have just kept gardening. Social distancing is not a problem with this outdoor activity. Volunteers tend four park garden areas including a spring flower border the length of Barnsbury Road under the lime trees. Charlotte Terrace residents have nurtured a lovely pink rose hedge in their patch. Our volunteers in the Adventure Playground are growing beans, tomatoes and other vegetables for the children when they come back.

Thank you for all the kind comments about the gardening. It’s all about making the park a welcoming space.

Beans and tomatoes growing for Adventure Playground kids

Pinks roses to enjoy from Charlotte Terrace residents

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Pop-Up Called Off Due to Virus

Posted on 27 March 2020 by dianne

Pop-up Saturday on June 6 in Barnard Park has been cancelled due to the coronavirus. It’s sad. The musicians, Mr Bubbles and others were ready to go. The community really enjoys the fun. We do too. But the virus is life threatening and government restrictions are in place. So stay safe.

Sorry! The June Pop-Up has been cancelled

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Super Pop-Up Coming to the Park June 6

Posted on 27 March 2020 by dianne

Bouncy Castles for the Small Ones

Save the date! Pop-up Saturday in Barnard Park is set for June 6 from 11am—5pm. This year there will be one SUPER Pop-Up instead of two. All our much-loved activities are happening on one Saturday. Mrs H and the Sing-along Band will head up a great music line-up. And there’s more. Exciting play in the Adventure Playground. The big bird show returns and so does Scruffs dog fun. Children will enjoy bouncy castles on the green, Mr Bubbles, pottery and crafts. Looking forward to it.

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Flowers Signal Spring in Barnard Park

Posted on 1 March 2020 by dianne

Despite the wild weather, the spring border along Barnsbury Road has flourished with snowdrops and white flowered hellebores cheering up those who walk by. Bright yellow crocuses circle lime trees beside the border to shout out spring. The early flowering border area is one of four park garden areas tended by volunteers who make Barnard bloom. The gardening crew won a gold award in 2019 from Islington in Bloom. Flowering plants grown in the park are being shared with nearby Thornhill Gardens and other spots. Volunteers also organise a vegetable growing project with the kids in the Adventure Playground. Busy gardeners!

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Nature Summer School for Kids

Posted on 26 July 2019 by dianne

Drop in with the kids for FREE nature play in Barnard Park today and this Saturday from 1:30-3:30pm. Stories, nature drawing, tree discovery, growing activities, lavender bags and more! It’s an environmental summer school organised by the community group Octopus under the trees near the Adventure Playground. The garden milk float will be there. We’re harvesting Playground potatoes today! Activities for primary schools children (5-11 years) and fun for smaller kids too.

FREE Environmental Summer School for children – find out more about nature!

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