Abney Park, a Grade II listed park on Historic England's register, is a significant green space in Hackney. Opened in 1840 as one of London's 'Magnificent 7' garden cemeteries, the 12.5-hectare site contains approximately 60,000 graves and is the resting place of around 200,000 people.

Located between Stoke Newington High Street and Church Street, its memorials range from elaborate monuments to simple pathside markers.

  • Hackney Design Studio, was tasked with a project at Abney Park Cemetery. Initially, to design hoardings to inform the public about the cemetery's restoration and history, and to encourage volunteer participation. This initiative was part of the broader restoration of the park and chapel. Subsequently, the Studio developed permanent outdoor panels, cafe panels, and leaflets to improve the visitor experience at the restored Abney Park.

  • Abney Park's design presented a unique challenge due to its dual nature as a cemetery and nature reserve, requiring a departure from the standard parks branding while still maintaining consistency. Key design considerations included the incorporation of large trees and monuments, the absence of open spaces, and a tone that balanced friendliness with respect, unlike the generally playful parks branding. The initial hoardings utilised the established historic olive color palette, whereas the permanent monolith and cafe signs employed a neutral grey to align with the hierarchical structure of the general parks signage.

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Hackney Strategic Plan