Spruced-up Islington park puts anti-social behaviour off-limits

Residents are celebrating the transformation of Hillside Park into a bright new space for residents.

The park, in the north of Islington, has new natural play features for children, a new ball games area, wildflower-covered hillocks and new expanses of grass.

In recent years the park had suffered from

anti-social behaviour including illicit drinking, drug-taking, and late-night

noise.

Now work has been carried out to make the park more

open and visible - including removing walls, pruning heavy shrubs and improving

lighting - and deter trouble-makers.

Cllr Catherine West, leader of Islington Council,

joined residents, Caxton After School Children's Club, and local councillors to

celebrate work being finished.

She said: "We're on the side of residents and

committed to both cutting crime and making sure people have decent parks and

open spaces.

"This work has transformed Hillside Park into a

beautiful area for people of all ages to enjoy.

"It's also now much less attractive for anti-social

behaviour and low-level crime."

As part of the day children planted meadow and

woodland plug plants which will flourish next spring into summer.

They also tried "tree listening" - literally

listening to the sounds trees make - with artist Alex Metcalf.