East London Waterworks Park is a community vision to transform a concrete depot into the first new wild swimming ponds in London since 1770.

The project looks to create an urban oasis where people can explore and swim in harmony with nature. To further this ambition, Periscope has developed and illustrated an approach to the site to show possible futures. Putting collaborative design into practice, a series of park components has been imagined by the Periscope team, combining many different hands and perspectives to imagine multiple futures and possibilities for the new park.

The project seeks to capture the industrial wilderness of the Lea Valley, alongside the array of community benefits the new park could bring. This includes providing crucial connections between Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes, while increasing biodiversity of the River Lea. The new park will carefully balance old and new, activity and ecology - repurposing heritage buildings and opening up the former filter beds for recreation, whilst leaving other areas as quieter reserves for nature.

Through a co-design process, the local community will shape future park facilities, such as a cafe, make-and-repair space, and open-access arts and science projects. At its core, the East London Waterworks Park will open up the former filter bed structures as new habitats and spaces for wild swimming.

Our work has included providing sketches and illustrations for themed workshops to enable co-design at engagement sessions with local groups. For more information about the community project to rejuvenate this forgotten site visit elwp.org.uk