East London Waterworks Park

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East London Waterworks Park

A community charity aiming to create an urban oasis for nature, for people to explore, and swim in

03/05/2026

From recycled materials to big ideas

Our recent creative workshop at East London Waterworks Park brought people together to
build a collaborative “living map”, a shared space to explore ecology, memory, and
imagination.

Through making, talking, and mapping together, we reflected on how communities can
shape greener, fairer futures. And this is just the beginning, the map may even evolve into
a future board game for more people to join the conversation.

East London Waterworks Park is working to create London’s first community-owned park:
a place for nature, culture, and people to thrive together.

Join us and help shape the future.

25/04/2026

A map can be more than directions. It can hold stories, memories, and futures 🌍✨

Today, we’re inviting everyone to help co-create a giant “living map” at the East London Waterworks Park stall using recycled materials, fabrics, paper, and art supplies.

Together, we’ll explore ecological learning through creativity, conversation, and collective imagination, building something that reflects our shared relationship with land, water, and community.

This collaborative artwork may even become a board game for future events 🎲🌱

Drop by, get creative, and be part of the process.

22/03/2026

Access to clean and community green spaces is vital for everyone.

The water crisis affects us all, but not equally, and some communities face greater barriers to safe water and sanitation.

At East London Waterworks Park, we are creating a community-owned, biodiverse landscape with natural swimming ponds and spaces for people to gather, learn, and reconnect with nature.

Learning to live as part of nature in balance and harmony is essential. Thoughtful water management is at the heart of making this possible.

World Water Day - March 22, 2026

Visit elwp.org.uk

14/01/2026

We’re growing! 🌿 To help us deliver five exciting new projects in 2026 and move toward our vision for the park, East London Waterworks Park is recruiting for a paid CEO and a volunteer Chair of Trustees.

Read more from our Chair, Abigail Woodman, and find out how to apply: 🔗 elwp.info/hiring

07/12/2025

This lovely illustration by our volunteer Valentina Zagalia represents our key theme of “wellbeing” as part of our Inclusive Design Proposal.

Being able to wander, breathe and feel free in nature is crucial to our wellbeing. This was highlighted in the feedback from over 100 participants from underrepresented backgrounds who helped to shape our proposal.

Design suggestions within the proposal include infrastructure that promotes physical and mental wellbeing, with opportunities for exercise; considered planting that feels wild and sensory; and activities that help people be part of nature, not just observe it.

Read the full proposal here https://elwp.org.uk/InclusiveDesignProposal.htm

05/12/2025

This brilliant illustration by Ajai Paul represents “feeling safe”, one of the three key themes from our Inclusive Design Proposal. This theme is key to creating a welcoming and accessible park for local communities.

People feel safest when they can see and be seen. In order to achieve this, creating urban green spaces with warm, accessible and effective lighting and open sight lines that won’t disturb wildlife and their habitats are vital.

Read the full proposal here https://elwp.org.uk/InclusiveDesignProposal.htm

03/12/2025

This wonderful illustration by our volunteer Shona Nectoux, perfectly represents our inclusive design proposal.

This proposal is a fundamental part of our project shaping our vision. By listening to feedback from local communities, we have formed foundations for an inclusively designed park with themes of feeling safe, wellbeing and belonging.

Read the proposal here: https://elwp.org.uk/InclusiveDesignProposal.htm

19/10/2025

This fantastic map illustrated by Dom Walker, perfectly demonstrates the layout of our community spaces proposal. Our proposal aims to bring these heritage sites back into public use. These buildings would be used for a wide range of purposes including: community workshops, an art gallery, a cafe and a facade greenhouse with an anaerobic digester. These are only a few examples. We aim to utilise these spaces with minimal intervention to the existing structures of the buildings.

If you would like to learn more about our community spaces proposal head to https://elwp.org.uk/BuildingsProposal.htm or to get involved email [email protected]

17/10/2025

Why are more people than ever turning to wild swimming — and what are they really looking for in the water?

In this thoughtful blog, writer Jess Hoban explores the growing appeal of wild swimming — from the chilly dips in city ponds to remote swims in lakes and rivers. It’s not just about fitness or fun; for many, it’s about freedom, mental health, and a chance to reconnect with nature in an increasingly busy, built-up world.

Whether you’re already a regular wild swimmer or just curious about what draws people in, this piece unpacks the deeper meaning behind the movement — and why it’s here to stay.

Read the full post: https://www.elwp.org.uk/Blog/95

Wonderful illustration of swimming in nature by our volunteer Bex Tang.

15/10/2025

🍂 As the Autumn leaves start to fall, Cathy McLoughlin and Lydia Roberts reflect on the launch of our latest research 'Community Voices: Shaping East London Waterworks Park' and discuss who this research could be used by. They also discuss the next steps for our findings.

📸 Image from the Community Voices event held at Leaside Trust as part of the Mayor of London's Community Weekend 2025, with support from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Read October's blog! 👇
https://www.elwp.org.uk/Blog/94

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Leyton

Website

http://www.elwp.org.uk/

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