About Us



Who We Are 

We are a group of local people who work voluntarily to protect and improve Stoke Newington Common, N16. We believe that everyone needs access to open green space to relax, exercise and play in, and that the natural world helps us psychologically as much as physically. In London especially public parks are invaluable.
Please get in touch if you would like to help out in any way:
Email: snug.n16 [at] gmail.com

Our Aims: 

  • Protect and enhance the environment of the Common by planting and looking after trees, hedging and other plants; by creating habitats for wildlife; as well as preventing erosion and damage. 
  • Promote interest in and help local people appreciate and enjoy the Common as both a green space and a place of recreation, in our densely-built neighbourhood. 
  • Ensure all the diverse local communities use the Common and foster a sense of pride and ownership in it. 

We work closely with numerous other agencies to improve the Common, including Hackney Council (link opens in new window/tab), the Tree Musketeers (link opens in new window/tab) and local schools and community groups.

Watch a short film about SNUG made by local filmmaker, Winstan Whitter (link opens in new window/tab). Click on the play button below or watch it on Vimeo (link opens in new window/tab).

Before our input, the Common was quite barren, neglected and underused.

 Can you spot what's missing?

What We've Achieved

Over recent years SNUG has: 

  • Fundraised for and installed a playground, which opened in 2006. Before that, and despite the high number of children in this area, Clissold Park or Springfield Park had the nearest playgrounds. Both are nearly two kilometres away [insert pic of snow covered playground]
  • Planted numerous new trees and hedges on the Common and tended these, with help from Tree Musketeers and local volunteers. Through our environmental and other green work SNUG has also tried to improve the local environment and its biodiversity
  • Planted thousands of spring bulbs and wildflowers on the Common with the help of local residents, children from local schools and nurseries and Hackney Council
  • Got the fountain refurbished
  • Rescued other neglected patches locally including: beds outside Rectory Road and Stoke Newington train stations, and the corner of Filey Avenue and Chardmore Road;gardens along Sanford Terrace; and the garden at number 1 Osbaldeston Rd
  • Campaigned for pedestrian crossings, to connect the Common with surrounding streets and enable children to get to the playground safely; and for 20mph speed limits on local roads
  • Organised many events on the Common each year including:
    • Fundays, featuring live music, stalls, food, the Albion Kids Show pirate ship, art and craft activities, face and henna painting, circus skills, Universal Games, history and more
    • Plant sales
    • Free bike repairs
    • Open-air cinema evenings
    • Mid winter sing-along
    • Other events including guided history tours
    • Installed a movable table tennis table
    • Established our Knitting Group, Common Thread
    • Installed a mosaic alongside the playground thanks to our sponsors [insert QR code when generated] - lists sponsors