Nearly 15,000 people a day have been trudging through Burgess Park, Southwark's largest green space, leaving the ground barren and prompting a community group to demand a reversal of the council's policy allowing such large-scale events. Susan Crisp, Chair of the Friends of Burgess Park, is calling for a review after the park's 56 hectares suffered significant damage, especially during this year's hot weather.
Community group cites unsustainable event scale
The Friends of Burgess Park believe that the size of events has grown too large for the park to sustain. Attendee numbers have reached almost 15,000 (14,999), and three-metre-high black barriers now encircle large swathes of the park for days at a time to accommodate ravers and concert-goers. While many are ecstatic about the events, the group says the ground and grass are being damaged beyond what the park can handle.
Susan Crisp stated: "It's been ongoing for a number of years, and during that time, the council has intentionally increased the size of events taking place in Burgess Park, and that therefore has had a bigger impact. We have seen a change over the years as the events have grown bigger." She noted that in the first few years, the Friends of Burgess Park contributed and consulted on improvements, and event companies were responsive. "But in the last two years, the event size and numbers of people have substantially increased and it is too big for Burgess Park," she added.
Hot weather exacerbates damage to green space
Following the 2025 events, the council and the event company undertook a grass restoration project. However, this year's damage has been especially evident due to the hot weather, according to the group. Susan Crisp explained: "They come in and fence for that amount of time (the days of the events), but then you have the period beyond that when the ground is particularly trashed. Yes, we have had very hot weather this year and not much rain; every park in London is completely dried out, but it is obviously worse when there are thousands of people coming into the park."
She continued: "Our position is that this is too big, the footprint is too big, and the number of people is too big, the timing of it as well, cuts through the summer holidays, it may only be fenced off for a few days, but then what you are left with is ground in really poor condition for a number of weeks before the repair and restoration process. This is why our position is that the council needs to review the events policy; it's the policy that frames what the production company does."
Council defends events policy and restoration efforts
In response to the concerns, Cllr Vanessa Threadgold, Executive Member for Parks and Recreation, said: "We welcome engagement from local residents and groups, including the Friends of Burgess Park, in relation to large-scale events. We take consultation feedback on board alongside our legal, licensing, and environmental requirements when making decisions about outdoor events."
She added: "We understand concerns about the impact they can have on our parks. That's why our officers monitor ground conditions throughout the year, as well as before, during, and after events. Event organisers are required to fund restoration works, and all major commercial events are required to pay an environmental impact fee, which is invested back into our parks." Cllr Threadgold also highlighted the benefits: "We also recognise the value events can offer to our residents and visitors. They positively contribute to the celebration of diversity, promote local talent, boost our economy, and create a strong sense of community for all ages. Money generated from commercial events supports the running of free activities, community events and investment in parks across the borough. We are committed to balancing access to high-quality cultural events with the protection of our green spaces and the interests of local communities. We will continue to engage with residents to ensure that concerns are properly considered."
