Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN Published: 20 July 2007
Fields trees ‘safe’ assurance
A BLUEPRINT for the future of Highbury Fields has been unveiled.
But residents and environmentalists are still seeking assurances that plane trees will not be felled when Islington’s largest park is improved. Under the multi-million pound project, the park will be landscaped and resurfaced. Lighting is to be improved, shrubs planted and the playground upgraded.
James Gilchrist, head of Islington Greenspace, told Islington Council east area committee on Tuesday: “We are not talking about felling London plane trees. It is not in the vision.”
Martin Jones, chairman of Highbury Fields Association, said he hoped residents would be more involved in the management of the park.
Planners are considering how to deal with thousands of Arsenal fans who take a short cut through the park to get to the club’s Ashburton Grove stadium.