T100 Goes Wild in Hackney!

A walk along the Hackney Buzzline, an ecological pollinator corridor being created in East London. The walk goes through four parks - all local sites of importance for nature conservation - and three social housing estates. Walkers will chat with community gardeners and other local people creating a chain of stepping-stone pollinator habitats along the 4km route. The walk will be led by community ecologist Gerry Tissier, who created the Hackney Buzzline vision and programme.

What people will see:

Pollinator Stop 1: Hackney Downs – meet next to a Buzzline gateway project to renature a derelict bowling green.

Pollinator Stop 2: Nightingale Estate - meet the wildlife gardeners of Napoleon Road reclaiming car park spaces to plant for pollinators.

Pollinator Stop 3: Millfields – meet volunteers from the park user group who have sowed a 500m long meadow strip beside a cycle highway, and Hackney Tree Musketeers who planted six mini-woodlands from different eco-regions around the world.

Pollinator Stop 4: Clapton Park Estate – meet the E5 postcode gardener at the Hackney School of Food creating a pollinator bed in a kitchen garden for a food education programme.

Pollinator Stop 5: Daubeney Fields – meet the residents planting community gardens and creating mini meadows for pollinators around the park.

Pollinator Stop 6: Kingsmead Estate – meet children and families planting for pollinators at a local primary school and youth hub and on the estate’s green spaces.

Pollinator Stop 7: Mabley Green – meet residents improving pollinator habitats in an edible garden on the park.

End: Walkers can finish at Mabley Green or return along the Lea navigation to Hackney School of Food for a community picnic.

Following the walk, visitors are welcome to stay on and join a bee bioblitz being run on the parks by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. The bioblitz will support an East London bee conservation project which stretches from Hackney to Thurrock.

Schedule:

10.30am: Meeting Point: Hackney Downs Park

12.20-12.30pm - Edible garden Mabley End point: Hackney School of Food for a community picnic.

1pm: End Point

WALK INFO

Duration: 2.5 hour walk

Distance: 3.5 miles

Grading: Moderate

Terrain: Mostly paved paths, with some unpaved routes through parks. Uneven ground, hills and busy roads. The walk traces River Lea at points. Some paths are shared with cyclists.

Access: Accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs with a variation to the ending (not going along the canalside).

Walk leader: Phil Lobley, John Matthews and Sue Yates

Walk map: https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/hackney-downs-kings-park-164421504

TRAVEL

By train

Hackney Downs, Rectory Road Train Station is a 7 minute walk

By car

On-street parking available by Hackney School of Food (free on Sundays)

By bus

Hackney Downs

Hackney School of Food:

242 to Oswald Street

308 to Millfileds Road Lea Bridge (8 mins walk)

Accessibility

This walk is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs with a variation to the ending (not going along the canalside).

T100 walks are of different lengths and on varying terrain. Some are mainly on footpaths, and others mainly on footpaths where ground may be uneven. We have designed our programme with accessibility in mind so we hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you would like to discuss this please contact [email protected]

Please note: Everyone needs to choose walks within their capabilities; the walk leaders are experienced but must take people’s word that they are sufficiently fit for the grade of walk they have chosen.

Due care has been exercised in organising the walks, however Kinetika, the funders and associated partners of the project cannot accept liability for loss, accident or injury caused to any person following the routes, especially unsupervised. Participants under the age of 16 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

What to Take

Please ensure that you are properly equipped for all walks. The weather can be unpredictable so bring waterproof clothing and/or sun hats and sun cream – it’s best to be prepared for all weather.

Walking boots/shoes are recommended, but if you don’t have these please wear suitable and comfortable footwear – best to leave open-toe sandals or high heels at home. Make sure you bring snacks and a packed lunch with you, if necessary, and plenty to drink.

Toilet facilities can be accessed Hackney Downs Pavilion at the start of the walk or at Hackney School of Food at the end of the walk.

Photos/ filming

We will be taking photographs and video of this event to promote and celebrate the project in print and online. If you do not give consent to be photographed or filmed, that’s absolutely fine. Please let a member of the T100 team know on the day.

Host or Publisher T100 Walking Festival