After almost 15,000 people a day trudged through this South London Park, the ground was left barren, now this community group wants change
Burgess Park, Southwark’s largest green space, serves as a beloved retreat for families during the spring, winter, and autumn months. However, the increasing frequency of large events during the summer has raised concerns about the park’s upkeep and the preservation of its natural beauty across its expansive 56 hectares.
As locals seek to balance community gatherings with environmental conservation, the future of this cherished park hangs in the balance.
Three-metre-high black barriers encircle large swathes of the park for days at a time to make way for the ravers and concert-goers alike, and while most are ecstatic about the events, some community organisations have called for change.
A reversal of Southwark Council’s policy allowing almost 15,000 people to swarm the park for dozens of days each summer is what Susan Crisp, the Chair of the Friends of Burgess Park, is calling for.
While previous years’ events were mitigated by the event companies and the council’s remediation works, this year’s hot weather has revealed how this popular Camberwell Park has been “trashed” after numerous large-scale events.
The group believes that the scale of the events has now grown too large for the park to sustain and is damaging the ground and grass, with attendees now at almost 15,000 (14,999).
Susan said: “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.
“During the first few years of these events taking place, the Friends of Burgess Park contributed, and we consulted on things that needed improving.
“On the whole, these large event companies want their events to be successful, and they want to follow council policy; they don’t want complaints for this that and the other, they want it to run smoothly and minimise these sorts of things.
“They have been very responsive to these issues we have flagged over the years. But in the last two years, the event size and numbers of people have substantially increased and it is too big for Burgess Park.”
‘What you are left with is ground in really poor condition’
Following the 2025 events, the council, in partnership with the events company, undertook a grass restoration project, yet this year’s damage has been especially evident due to the hot weather, according to the group.
Susan continued: “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.
“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.”
While Susan agreed that the council and the production company are undertaking restoration works, the group feels that a review of Southwark Council’s policy is needed to help keep the balance.
In response to the Friends of Burgess Park’s 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.
“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.
“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.”
