The London community has strongly demonstrated its desire to make East London Waterworks Parks a reality by donating over half a million pounds in 7 months (and during a cost-of-living crisis!).
Londoners have always had the desire to connect with nature. With the rise of urban regeneration, there has been a concerted effort to transform industrial sites into green spaces that provide a sense of community, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. One such example is the East London Waterworks Park, a former Victorian water-filtering facility that is being transformed into a community-owned natural swimming pond and biodiverse park. We are thrilled to see this project moving forward and we can’t wait to throw on our swimsuits and go swimming in nature.
Once a neglected industrial site, the East London Waterworks Park is being brought back to life with the help of a successful crowdfunding campaign. Over £500,000 has been raised to transform the site into a community-owned natural swimming pond and biodiverse park. The park will be the first of its kind in the city, providing a unique opportunity for Londoners to swim in a natural environment that is both beautiful and safe.
The transformation of the East London Waterworks Park is a reflection of the wider trend towards urban regeneration, as more and more people look to reconnect with nature in an urban setting. The natural swimming pond and park will provide a space for people to relax, unwind, and enjoy the great outdoors. The park will also serve as a valuable resource for local schools, providing an opportunity for children to learn about biodiversity and the environment in a hands-on way.
The park is not only a testament to the desire of Londoners to swim in nature, but also to the power of community action. The crowdfunding campaign was a huge success, with thousands of people from all over the city contributing to the cause. The fact that the park will be community-owned is a testament to the commitment of local people to regenerate the area and create a space that is truly for the people, by the people. There is still a long road ahead, with the proposed opening of the park set for 2029. But the determination of the charity is inspiring and as they say: “Together we can develop a sustainable good-news story that delivers on a significant number of the government’s strategic policies. Together we can build back better, taking real steps to tackle the climate crisis, biodiversity collapse, social inequality, and social isolation.”
If you’d like to get involved, it’s not too late: you can head over to the ELWP crowdfunding page and pledge your support towards the stretch target of £600,000.
By converting unused industrial areas into green spaces, we can increase access to nature, improve air and water quality, and provide essential habitats for wildlife. The park will be just a 20-minute drive away from our co living London building - Vonder Zenith, as always we love to be where it’s at.
If you also want to be in the heart of what's happening in London, join us. We offer furnished flats to rent in Wembley and all over the city. Looking to head further afield, check out our flats to rent in Leeds. Form your own community with your neighbours while exploring all that the cities have to offer.
