Finsbury Circus Gardens locked its gates for the last time until late 2024.
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Work to redevelop London’s oldest public park started this week after it was closed on Monday despite mixed reactions from residents and park users.
Finsbury Circus Gardens locked its gates for the last time on November 20th, and is not expected to reopen until late 2024 whilst the park gets a new look.
Built in 1607, the Gardens are all that’s left of Moorfields, London’s first public park, which was redesigned in 1815 by George Dance the Younger.
Built in 1607, the garden is London’s first public park which was redesigned in 1815 by George Dance the Younger.
However, this is not the first time the park has been inaccessible to the public after being closed on and off for 13 years due to construction of the Elizabeth Line (formerly knows as Crossrail) running directly under the green.
The closure has sparked frustration from residents and park users. One commenter online said: “So why wasn’t this new idea put in place as Crossrail were tidying up their site – it probably would have saved some reinstatement work being done twice.”
Another said: “But they’ve only just reopened it after Crossrail!”
“Urban Forest”
Plans submitted to the London corporation by Hackney-based Architecture 00 and Studio Weave, in partnership with ReardonSmith Landscape, will feature an ‘urban forest’ created in the west of the park and new oval paving around the outer ring.
A listed fountain will also be relocated with 12 trees expected to be cut down.
An online statement by the Corporation said “Since we received planning permission in 2022, we have been carefully reassessing our proposals for the future of the Gardens”.
“Our initial plans included the provision of a pavilion building located in the north-east section of the Gardens which was intended to be used as a café”.
“However, we have taken the decision to remove this from our proposals and instead to focus solely on the re-landscaping of the site.”
Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the plans online with many rejecting the idea of temporary food trucks in place of the planned café.
One wrote on Facebook: “Coffee and food trucks, are they mad ? haven’t we got enough of those already in London? The Circus is perfect as it is, LEAVE IT ALONE”.
Bandstand
The 1950s bandstand had been demolished leaving nothing but the foundations
Work has already started with the demolition of the 1950s bandstand and removal of the park benches.
Parks historian, Paul Rabbit, told CityNews: “I’m saddened to see that the bandstand has gone and there is no proposal to replace it. London once had over 150 bandstands distributed across the city – from the Royal Parks to public parks to city gardens and squares like we had here in Finsbury Circus Gardens. It’s loss is to be lamented”.
On their website, the City of London said they hope the revamp will transform the historic park into a ‘tranquil and beautiful environment that encourages people to relax and dwell throughout the day, whilst significantly enhancing biodiversity in the local area.’
CityNews has approached the City of London corporation for comment.
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HeadlineFinsbury Circus Gardens: London’s oldest park has closed for entire year despite mixed local reaction
Short HeadlineLondon's oldest park closed for upgrade amid local opposition
StandfirstWork to redevelop London's oldest public park started this week after it was closed on Monday despite mixed reactions from residents.
Work to redevelop London’s oldest public park started this week after it was closed on Monday despite mixed reactions from residents and park users.
Finsbury Circus Gardens locked its gates for the last time on November 20th, and is not expected to reopen until late 2024 whilst the park gets a new look.
Built in 1607, the Gardens are all that’s left of Moorfields, London’s first public park, which was redesigned in 1815 by George Dance the Younger.
Built in 1607, the garden is London’s first public park which was redesigned in 1815 by George Dance the Younger.
However, this is not the first time the park has been inaccessible to the public after being closed on and off for 13 years due to construction of the Elizabeth Line (formerly knows as Crossrail) running directly under the green.
The closure has sparked frustration from residents and park users. One commenter online said: “So why wasn’t this new idea put in place as Crossrail were tidying up their site – it probably would have saved some reinstatement work being done twice.”
Another said: “But they’ve only just reopened it after Crossrail!”
“Urban Forest”
Plans submitted to the London corporation by Hackney-based Architecture 00 and Studio Weave, in partnership with ReardonSmith Landscape, will feature an ‘urban forest’ created in the west of the park and new oval paving around the outer ring.
A listed fountain will also be relocated with 12 trees expected to be cut down.
An online statement by the Corporation said “Since we received planning permission in 2022, we have been carefully reassessing our proposals for the future of the Gardens”.
“Our initial plans included the provision of a pavilion building located in the north-east section of the Gardens which was intended to be used as a café”.
“However, we have taken the decision to remove this from our proposals and instead to focus solely on the re-landscaping of the site.”
Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the plans online with many rejecting the idea of temporary food trucks in place of the planned café.
One wrote on Facebook: “Coffee and food trucks, are they mad ? haven’t we got enough of those already in London? The Circus is perfect as it is, LEAVE IT ALONE”.
Bandstand
The 1950s bandstand had been demolished leaving nothing but the foundations
Work has already started with the demolition of the 1950s bandstand and removal of the park benches.
Parks historian, Paul Rabbit, told CityNews: “I’m saddened to see that the bandstand has gone and there is no proposal to replace it. London once had over 150 bandstands distributed across the city – from the Royal Parks to public parks to city gardens and squares like we had here in Finsbury Circus Gardens. It’s loss is to be lamented”.
On their website, the City of London said they hope the revamp will transform the historic park into a ‘tranquil and beautiful environment that encourages people to relax and dwell throughout the day, whilst significantly enhancing biodiversity in the local area.’
CityNews has approached the City of London corporation for comment.
