Newham is one of London’s youngest boroughs, characterised by its vibrant and diverse community of families and children. For many residents, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, accessing private gardens, paddling pools, or leisure facilities is not an option, especially when family swim sessions have been reduced year on year. This lack of access is worsened by the borough's shortage of quality play spaces. As a vital public resource, Newham’s paddling pools and water play offer more than just relief from summer's blistering heat; they provide a safe haven for children to engage in outdoor play and interact with their peers strengthening community cohesion.

This summer has been marked by prolonged periods of extreme heat and drought, exacerbating the need for spaces where children and families can cool off safely. Unfortunately, despite the sweltering temperatures, many of Newham’s paddling pools and splash pads have remain closed. The closures deny residents, particularly children from lower-income families, the opportunity to escape the heat in a safe and communal environment.

We acknowledge that Thames Water has issued a hosepipe ban to curb unnecessary domestic water use. However, using this ban as a justification to keep public paddling pools and splash pads closed is misguided. These pools and splash pads are essential, especially in communities where affordable leisure options are sparse. While reducing wasteful domestic watering is crucial, it is equally important to maintain essential community resources like water play. We also call on Newham Council to invest in sustainable ways to manage access to water play in the borough for years to come, so that families in the future are not forced to suffer when another summer of heat hits.

According to the London Borough of Newham's own reports, the youth population is steadily increasing, further intensifying the demand for accessible, quality play areas. When heatwaves strike, children and their families should not be penalised by a lack of public amenities and lack of planning of ways to make them sustainable. The benefits of safe outdoor play, including physical activity and social interaction, are vital for children’s development and well-being.

We urge the local authorities to reconsider the decision to keep all of these vital resources closed. By reopening the water play areas, Newham Council will demonstrate its commitment to supporting its residents, especially young families, by ensuring they have equitable access to cooling and recreational facilities.

We call on Newham Council to prioritise our children’s health, safety, and well-being by opening access to water play.

• Open the borough’s paddling pools and splash pads without further delay.
• Keep them operating throughout periods of hot weather this summer.
• Open them earlier from May-September to account for warmer weather hitting earlier
• Communicate clearly with residents about opening times and any water-saving measures in place.
• Find a problem solving solution despite the hose pipe ban, or future bans to provide access to water play for example: Limiting to selected days of the week, limiting to one or two areas, for example keeping Central Park play on as a dedicated area, invest in ways to make water play sustainable for example recycling water

As climate change brings hotter summers, Newham must ensure its public spaces are fit for purpose and protected and ready for our changing climate. Our children deserve safe, accessible places to play, stay active and cool down. 

Despite the hosepipe ban, several other London boroughs have committed to keeping their water play facilities open, recognising how important they are for children and families during periods of extreme heat. It is unacceptable that Newham families should have to travel outside the borough to access facilities that should be available in their own community.

Year after year, Newham parents are forced to campaign for better play provision and to hold the Council to account for commitments made to local children. Families should not have to repeatedly fight for safe, accessible places for their children to play and cool off. Investing in children’s play and wellbeing should be a priority, not something residents have to continually demand.

Please sign this petition to help us achieve this goal and ensure our community has the resources it needs to thrive during the summer months now and into the future.

NEWHAM PLEASE INVEST IN WATER PLAY!