Friends of Hamworthy Park are thrilled to celebrate the successful refurbishment of the Hamworthy paddling pool, ensuring that this cherished community feature remains a free, accessible resource for families, children, and visitors for years to come.
This significant project, delivered in partnership with BCP Council, was much more than a simple refurbishment. It was a vital investment in local infrastructure, ensuring that Hamworthy Park continues to meet the needs of a growing population while preserving a valued community space that has served generations.
Why Was the Paddling Pool Refurbished?
The previous paddling pool, which had been a staple of Hamworthy Park for over 80 years, was in urgent need of repair. Structural weaknesses, ageing infrastructure, and increasing maintenance costs made refurbishment essential. Without intervention, the pool would have deteriorated beyond repair, leaving the community without one of its most beloved public facilities.
The project focused on:
- Strengthening the pool’s foundations with 114 reinforced concrete piles, ensuring long-term structural stability.
- Installing a new reinforced concrete base and wall, protecting against tidal movements and localised flooding.
- Upgrading drainage and water filtration systems to improve sustainability and reduce future maintenance costs.
- Enhancing accessibility to ensure that families of all backgrounds and abilities can enjoy the pool safely.
A Growing Community, A Growing Need
Hamworthy has seen rapid residential development over the past decade, with 450 new homes already built in areas like Carter’s Quay and Harbour Reach, and an additional 2,400 homes planned within the next five years.
As the largest publicly accessible green space in the area, Hamworthy Park is a lifeline for residents who have little or no private outdoor space. The paddling pool plays a crucial role in providing free recreational opportunities for families, particularly in a ward where many children face financial and social barriers to play.
With Hamworthy Park attracting over 470,000 visitors annually, the refurbishment of the paddling pool ensures that it can continue to serve both local families and visitors from across the Borough of Poole and beyond.
Community Support and Funding
The paddling pool refurbishment was made possible through funding from:
- Borough of Poole Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- Planning Obligations and Capital Contingency
- £31,000 raised by Friends of Hamworthy Park through local fundraising efforts
This community-led funding effort demonstrates the overwhelming local support for the paddling pool. Residents, businesses, and local schools all contributed to ensuring its future.
Health, Wellbeing, and Social Benefits
The refurbished paddling pool directly supports the Borough of Poole’s priorities for health, wellbeing, and community engagement:
- Encouraging Active Lifestyles – The pool provides free, unstructured outdoor play, helping tackle childhood obesity and support physical and mental well-being. Studies show that children who engage in outdoor play are more active and develop essential social skills.
- Supporting Local Families – Hamworthy is a ward with higher-than-average levels of income deprivation. With 26% of children in Hamworthy East and West living in poverty, the paddling pool provides a vital free facility for families who may not be able to afford other leisure activities.
- Intergenerational Benefits – The pool is a social hub, with families frequently visiting in three or more generations, strengthening community ties and social cohesion.
A Sustainable Future
One of the key goals of the refurbishment was to increase sustainability and reduce running costs. The new design ensures:
- Lower maintenance and repair costs compared to the previous facility.
- Improved water efficiency, reducing operational expenses.
- A more resilient structure, designed to last for decades.
The paddling pool will now operate every summer, from May to September, providing a reliable and enjoyable experience for all.
A Huge Thank You
We want to extend our sincere gratitude to BCP Council, the Flood & Coastal Team, Suttle Projects, and all those who made this refurbishment possible. A special thank you to the local community, whose fundraising and ongoing support played a crucial role in making this project a reality.
Come and Enjoy the Pool!
The paddling pool is now open, and we invite families, children, and visitors from across the Borough to come and make a splash in Hamworthy Park
