Inventory Site Record

Between 1915 and 1922, 37.5 acres of land were taken from Hackney Marsh for the Government War Department's National Projectile Factory manufacturing munitions, but later the area was cleared to provide Mabley Green Recreation Ground. It remains a large open playing field surrounded by notable London planes on the north and east sides. In 2008 a huge granite stone was placed in the centre of the park, part of 'Boulder' a sculpture project by artist John Frankland in two Hackney parks. In both parks the boulders are intended to be used for climbing.

Previous / Other name:

Homerton Recreation Ground

Site location:

Homerton Road/Mabley Street

Postcode:

E9

What 3 Words:

dusty.corn.fleet

Type of site:

Public Park

Borough:

Hackney

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Climbing rock, outdoor gym, Astroturf football pitch

Events:

Public transport:

London Overground: Homerton. Bus: W15, 236, 276.

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/06/2011

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.hackney.gov.uk/mabley-green.htm

During WWI, between 1915 and 1922, 37.5 acres were taken from Hackney Marsh for the Government War Department's National Projectile Factory manufacturing munitions, but later the area was cleared to provide Mabley Green Recreation Ground, which remains a large open playing field surrounded by notable planes on the north and east sides. In 2008 a huge solid granite stone over 4m high was placed in the exact centre of the park, weighing 60 tonnes. It is part of 'Boulder', a sculpture project by artist John Frankland in two Hackney parks, the other stone located in Shoreditch Park (q.v.). The project was coordinated by Peer, an independent art gallery based in Hackney. The two blocks had been created as a result of a controlled explosion at a quarry in Cornwall, but were too large to be crushed down for aggregate. They were later selected by the artist for this project, which aimed 'to make a powerful and permanent sculptural work by the simplest possible means'. Visitors are invited to climb on these huge stones, the artist himself being a keen climber or boulderer. Mabley Green User Group is creating a wildflower meadow, and three new benches carved by sculptor Gary March are to be placed on Mabley Green. Other improvements to facilities will take place as part of Big Lottery Funding for the Hackney Wick area.

Sources consulted:

David Mander, Strength in the Tower, an Illustrated History of Hackney (Sutton) 1998; Ingrid Swenson, 'John Frankland / Boulder', Peer, 2008.

Grid ref:

TQ365852 (536544,185162)

Size in hectares:

Site ownership:

LB Hackney

Site management:

Hackney Parks Service; Mabley Green User Group

Date(s):

Mid C20th

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

Yes

Special Policy Area:

Yes - Area of Special Landscape Character

Other LA designation:

Open Space; Green Link