Finsbury Park: Encyclopedia II - Finsbury Park - The park

Finsbury Park - The park

The large public park which gives the area its name was one of the first of the great London parks that appeared in Victorian times. It was designed in the 1850s but was not actually completed until a little while later, in 1869. The park's name is explained by the fact that it was designed for the recreational use of the people of Finsbury, which at that time was a large London borough stretching from east central London all the way to the new park's southern boundary. Today, most of Finsbury has been swallowed up by the borough of Islington, but the connection still survives in the park's name.

The park was landscaped on the north-eastern extremity of what was originally Hornsey Wood, a large expanse of woodland that was cut further and further back during the period of London's great expansion in the Nineteenth Century. Today, Finsbury Park is the only real reminder of the past existence of Hornsey Wood. There was, in fact, until recently, a pub across the road from its eastern entrance called the Hornsey Wood Tavern — a name which may have been confusing to those unfamiliar with the park's history, since Hornsey is actually a mile northwest. The tavern closed down in January 2005 and is now a modern wine bar.

Today, the park is managed by Haringey Council. Its use for large music events such as Madstock, the Fleadh and Big Gay Out has in recent years become contentious, with some local residents arguing that they should not be disturbed so much. The council, on the other hand, argues that it needs the money that such events generate, and that the events are popular and have attracted large audiences.

The park has a lake and children's playground together with one of the few permanent softball and baseball diamonds in London. There is also an athletics stadium and facilities for football and hurling.

A history of the park and a list of community events is available from the Friends of Finsbury Park

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The park", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki