Does this sound too good to be true? Please read on…
In 2020 and 2021 the KLPA provided updates to members about a project being developed in East London, on the boundary of Waltham Forest and Hackney, near to Lea Bridge Road. This is the East London Waterworks Park which would redevelop a now derelict industrial site for the benefit of the local community.
This project has since been developed further, following an earlier crowd funding campaign in 2021 which allowed the development of a business plan. The community group leading this project has also worked on an inclusivity plan and an engineering report in the meantime. They have approached the landowner, and now need to raise £1m to show them that the East London Waterwork Park project is a serious proposition.
The former Thames Water depot would be cleaned up and developed as a public open space, restoring the natural environment and making available a naturally cleaned year-round open water swimming place. The plan is to keep access to swimming free of charge so that the local community can benefit from access to what we know to be such a beneficial activity.
A new crowd funding page has been set up and needs to reach £500,000 by 23 August 2022 to continue. Already nearly £200,000 has been raised. If you are able to, please consider donating to a project which will help to bring back inclusivity to open water swimming in London:
Further details of the project can be seen here:
