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Gillespie Park and Islington Ecology Centre

Gillespie Park Local Nature Reserve, 191 Drayton Park, Islington, London, N5 1PH

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Access Guide

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Park Opening Times

  • Gillespie Park is open to the public from 08:00 to dusk daily, except on the days of the Arsenal stadium events.

Opening Times (Ecology Centre)

  • Monday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday 11:00 - 17:00.
  • Comments View
    • The centre is only open on a Sunday during the months of March to October.

Location

  • The venue is in a pedestrian area.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Drayton Park.
  • The nearest underground station is Arsenal.

Parking (Blue Badge Holders Only)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located in front of the centre.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 1 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 260cm x 480cm (8ft 6in x 15ft 9in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The car park is for the sole use of Blue Badge holders.

Access Point (Drayton Park Road Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located on Drayton Park Road.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 90cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Access Point (St Thomas's Road - Park Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located on Quill Street.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 178cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Access Point (Quill Street - North Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the North end of Quill Street.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 95cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the path leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

Parks and Gardens

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have compact earth and gravel surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There are slight and steep slopes on the paths.
  • There are not any bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Comments View
    • There are also paths with a block paving, wooden boardwalks surface.
    • These paths have a steep gradient and lead to the ponds behind the centre.
    • There are paths of an easy or steep gradient running though the nature reserve.

Outside Access (Ecology Centre Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm.

Inside Access (Ecology Centre)

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Accessible Toilet (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Ecology Centre entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the right hand corridor as you enter the centre.
    • The accessible toilet is located off the main corridor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 200cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 7in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • Comments View
    • The accessible toilet also serves as a standard female and male toilet.
    • There is a flashing red fire alarm located above the door.

Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Ecology Centre entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the right hand corridor as you enter via the main entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 200cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 7in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 156cm and 168cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • The accessible toilet also serves as a standard female and male toilet.
    • There is a flashing red fire alarm located above the door.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located off the main corridor.
  • There is level access to the shower facilities.

Alternative Ecology Centre Route

  • There is a path that takes you from the back of the Ecology Centre to the front and vice versa.
  • Assistance may be needed due to the rough surface.
  • There is a slight slope on either end of the path.

Additional Info

  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Comments View
    • The photograph on the left shows the lecture room.
    • The photograph on the right shows the pond.