Key Points
- Protest and Victory: Campaigners and local families staged a demonstration on the steps of Hackney Town Hall, successfully prompting Hackney Council to agree to unlock and kickstart plans for the return of the London Fields paddling pool.
- Background of Closure: First opened in 1978, the paddling pool was shut down in 2020 due to the need for major structural works, but it was never reopened despite prior commitments from the local authority.
- Community Action: A petition demanding the site be brought back into public use was launched in March by the London Fields User Group, gathering more than 900 signatures before being formally heard by the council cabinet.
- Impact on Families: Local campaigners emphasised that the paddling pool is a crucial, free recreational resource, particularly benefiting families living in flats without private gardens who are missing out on safe outdoor play spaces.
London (Extra London News) July 22, 2026 — East Londoners campaigning for the restoration of a historic children’s paddling pool are celebrating a major breakthrough after local authorities bowed to intense public pressure, agreeing to kickstart plans to bring the facility back into active use. The victory comes following a spirited demonstration held on the steps of Hackney Town Hall, where parents, children, and community advocates gathered ahead of a crucial council cabinet meeting to ensure their voices were heard.
The focal point of the community campaign is the children’s paddling pool situated within Hackney’s popular London Fields—a park already widely celebrated for its main lido. While the lido caters to swimmers and older visitors, the smaller, shallow paddling facility has historically served as an invaluable, free recreational haven for toddlers and young families residing in the densely populated urban borough.
Why Did Hackney Council Close the London Fields Paddling Pool?
Originally opened to the public in 1978, the paddling pool became an indispensable summer fixture for generations of East London children. However, the facility was abruptly shut down in 2020. The closure was initially attributed to the urgent requirement for major maintenance and structural engineering works.
Despite repeated calls from residents over subsequent years and previous commitments made regarding its upkeep, the facility remained locked, empty, and neglected. Frustrated by the prolonged inaction, community advocates decided to take formal steps. In March, a dedicated petition calling for the immediate return of the site to public use was spearheaded by the London Fields User Group. The initiative quickly gained traction, gathering well over 900 signatures from local residents determined to see the space revived.
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What Happened During the Hackney Town Hall Demonstration?
The mounting pressure culminated on a Monday afternoon when campaigners staged a high-profile demonstration directly outside Hackney Town Hall. Demonstrators carried banners and brought their children to the municipal steps, demanding that the local administration take immediate ownership of the issue rather than letting the asset rot away.
As reported by multimedia news publication MyLondon, one of the key local campaigners, Cecilia Parr, spoke passionately outside the municipal building about the profound impact the closure has had on ordinary households. Parr stated that local residents were being wrongfully deprived of access to a “precious” resource for children that simultaneously played a vital role in easing the daily strain on parents.
Campaigners highlighted that urban living often deprives children of safe, outdoor spaces to play during the hot summer months. For families residing in high-rise flats or terrace properties without access to private gardens, public splash and paddle spaces are not merely luxuries, but essential community amenities. Without them, thousands of children miss out on basic outdoor developmental play, while parents struggle to find free, accessible ways to keep cool and entertain young children during the school holidays.
How Did Hackney Council Respond to the Public Pressure?
Faced with mounting scrutiny, the presentation of a robust community petition featuring hundreds of verified signatures, and active public demonstrations right outside their administrative headquarters, Hackney Council leadership shifted their stance.
Local authority representatives confirmed that the council has now agreed to unlock the path forward for the London Fields paddling pool. By committing to kickstart the long-delayed plans for its return, the council has offered a glimmer of hope to the families who have fought a multi-year battle for the asset. While specific timelines for the completion of the engineering works and the official reopening date are yet to be fully finalised and published by municipal planners, the local community’s direct action has successfully forced the issue back onto the political and operational agenda.
Local community groups and signatories of the London Fields User Group petition have expressed relief at the decision, noting that they will continue to monitor the council closely to ensure that promises made on the Town Hall steps translate into concrete construction milestones. For now, the successful campaign stands as a testament to grassroots community organizing in East London, proving that collective mobilization can compel local governments to restore vital public goods for the families who need them most.
