This site is a small ecology park supporting a remarkable diversity of habitats and species, situated within a part of London with very few good wildlife sites. The original park consists of a mosaic of created habitats, including a large pond, woodland areas and grassland. The grassland of the park extension on former rail sidings is naturally established and unusually rich in species.A Local Nature Reserve, the site is open from 8am to dusk on weekdays and 10am to 4pm at weekends. It is usually closed when Arsenal are playing at home, as it is near the Emirates Stadium. Gillespie Park won a Green Flag Award again for 20089.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Gillespie Park
Borough: Islington
Grade: Metropolitan
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 7.36 ha
Description
Wildlife
Several plants occur here that are extremely rare in central London, including narrow-leaved bird's-foot-trefoil, grass vetchling, pyramidal orchid and bee orchid.The park also supports a surprising diversity of birds and insects, with 12 dragonfly species (including the ruddy darter and broad-bodied chaser), 24 butterfly species and almost 100 bird species recorded.It has twice made headlines for unusual finds; first for the 1987 discovery of a new hybrid grass, the so-called Gillespie fescue (a cross between red fescue and rat's-tail fescue), and in 1990 for the first recorded breeding of the long-tailed blue butterfly in the UK.Facilities
Information: the Islington Ecology Centre (a renowned example of sustainable architecture), provides environmental education to schools and runs adult educational walks and talks, as well as organising childrens holiday activities; car parking; toilets.
Long-tailed blue butterfly © John Archer
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