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  2. Physical activity, parks and trees
  3. Parks and green spaces

Christmas opening times

There are changes to some services because of Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December) and New Year's Day (Thursday 1 January). This includes what day we will collect your rubbish and recycling, library opening times, parking enforcement and more.

Check for changes to services

Park icon

Get involved with your local park

There are many ways to get involved – such as attending a volunteering session led by a community ranger, joining a Friends of Parks group or taking part in one of the many activities on offer.

Volunteer with our community rangers 

Volunteering in an Islington park is a great way to meet new people, improve your physical and mental wellbeing, gain practical skills and give back to your local community. Everyone is welcome and no previous experience is necessary.

You will join our community rangers and help with jobs like pruning shrubs, creating bug hotels, planting, cultivating soil, composting, litter picking, weeding and sweeping.

There is no need to book – just turn up with outdoor clothing, gloves, and sturdy shoes or boots. We provide the tools, equipment, protective items, and safety instructions.

Dates 2026

Park Date Time
Spa Fields Saturday 17 January 9am-12noon
St John's Garden Saturday 17 January
 10am- 12noon
Wilmington Square  Saturday 7 February  10am-2pm
Northampton Square Wednesday 11 February

11am- 2pm
St James Clerkenwell  Friday 13 February  10am-1pm
St John's Garden Saturday 14 February 10am-12noon
Spa Fields Tuesday 24 February 10am-1pm
Spa Fields  Tuesday 3 March  10am-1pm
St Johns Churchyard Tuesday 17 March  10am-1pm
St James Clerkenwell  Friday 20 March 11am-1pm
Wilmington Square Saturday 21 March 10am-2pm
Wilmington Square Saturday 11 April 10am-2pm

Meeting points

  • Caledonian Park, at the Clock Tower
  • New River Walk at the Pump House, Lundy Walk entrance
  • Whittington Park, at the park keeper's building

Volunteer with The Garden Classroom

The Garden Classroom run volunteering sessions at Market Road Gardens, Newington Green, and Grenville Road Gardens, where you can learn valuable gardening skills while transforming local greenspaces into beautiful gardens!

Sessions are free, and you don't need to book.

Check when the next Green Guardian session is.

Volunteer at Duncan Terrace and Colebrooke Row

The Friends of Duncan Terrace and Colebrooke Row organise regular community gardening days throughout the year. A great opportunity to learn new skills, meet other local people, and find out more about the fascinating history of the gardens.

No need to book, just turn up!

Find out more about volunteering at Duncan Terrace and Colebrooke Row.

 

Corporate volunteering

We can help you organise a volunteering session for corporate groups. Email greenspace@islington.gov.uk.

Join a Friends of Parks group 

Friends of Parks groups are residents who work together to improve a specific park. They do this through a range of activities, such as organising community events, managing habitats, educating school children, carrying out gardening days, and getting involved in management decisions about the park. 

All Friends of Parks groups are part of the ‘Friends of’ forum which meets regularly to share ideas and discuss matters affecting parks at a more strategic level.

Learn what it’s like being a member of a Friends group by reading Umma’s and Les’s story on IslingtonLife. 

List of groups

To find out more or join, get in touch with one of the groups: 

Start your own 'Friends of' group 

We can support to start your own 'Friends of' group. If you're interested, please email greenspace@islington.gov.uk or text 'Greenspace' and your message to 80800. 

Other ways to get involved

There are lots of other events and activities taking place in Islington’s parks and green spaces that can help you keep active and connect with your local community.

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