Opportunity for ice cream and mobile café concessions in parks

Tower Hamlets has many beautiful parks and open spaces used by both residents and visitors to the borough.

We have a great opportunity for local businesses to trade in our parks for the summer season in 2024.

We are seeking to license:

- ice cream vans and

- mobile café operators at fixed pitches. 

We have opportunities in parks across the borough for vendors who have Public Liability Insurance and Food Hygiene Certificate.

If you are interested in applying, please email parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk


Park development and improvements

Maintaining parks

We maintain a wide variety of landscapes in parks and green spaces. Maintenance includes keeping the grass cut, pruning shrubs, roses and hedges and maintaining the flower beds.

Council staff carry out cleaning operations to empty bins and remove litter. Dropping or leaving litter in parks, spoils the enjoyment of these spaces for everyone. Dropping litter is an offence that can incur an £80 fine.

Community park rangers regularly inspect Mile End Park and Victoria Park and council officers regularly inspect all other parks to ensure that good standards are being maintained.

We are keen to continue improving our parks and open spaces. if you feel any areas could be enhanced or if you have any comments please contact us.

Currently 13 Tower Hamlets parks hold Green Flag awards. Find out more about Green Flag parks in Tower Hamlets.

Park development

There is currently a major development project in King Edward Memorial Park  Visit the web page to find out about this project and read the latest updates. For a list of other development projects in our parks see below.

Upcoming developments 

Park improvments

Alton Street Open Space, Brussels Wharf, Shandy Park

We are making improvements to Alton Street Open Space and Brussels Wharf.  Following public consultation in 2022 the feasbility study has now been completed.

Allen Gardens

Improvements to Allen Gardens

As part of a programme of regeneration, Tower Hamlets parks and high streets and town centres teams are making improvements to Allen Gardens, one of the borough’s most important inner-city open spaces.   Allen Gardens is facing issues of crime, anti-social behaviour, littering and fly tipping. We want to hear your ideas and suggestions on how to improve this.

In autumn 2020 and summer 2021 we produced newsletters to let local residents know about the changes.

We are keen to hear views from residents about Allen Gardens. Please contact us Allen.Gardens@towerhamlets.gov.uk

King Edward Memorial Park

Find out about the major development currently taking place in King Edward Memorial Park.

We are planning improvements to Sir John McDougall Gardens Playground, Westferry Road, E14.  We want residents and park users to share their views and ideas. We have held two consultation events.

Shandy Park

We are making improvments to the park and want feedback from residents on what they would like to see. We are holding four consultation events as follows:

  • Wednesday 6 March 2.30 to 5pm 
  • Thursday 7 March 2.30 to 6pm (at Whitehorse adventure playground)
  • Saturday 9 March 12 to 3pm
  • Wednesday 13 March 2.30 to 5pm 

If you are unable to attend but would like to give feedback, please email park.projects@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Playground improvements 

Bethnal Green Gardens, Sir John McDougall Gardens, Rope Walk Gardens playgrounds.

We're updating the playground equipment. Tell us what you'd prefer. We will be carrying out on site consultation on the following dates

Bethnal Green Gardens Playground

  • Tuesday 26 March 2.30 to 5pm
  • Thursday 28 March 2.30 to 6pm
  • Saturday 30 March 12 to 3pm 

Rope Walk Gardens

  • Tuesday 19 March 2.30 to 5.30pm 
  • Thursday 21 March 2.30 to 6pm 
  • Saturday 23 March 12 to 3pm 

If you are unable to attend and would like to give feedback, please email park.projects@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Brickfield Gardens, Mile End Park

We are replacing the playground equipment. New high-quality equipment is being installed. The new equipment will be suitable for toddlers and juniors. Over fifty percent of the equipment will be suitable for children with additional needs. We will also be installing a new outdoor gym. 

Vallance Gardens and Pennyfields Open Space

We will be upgrading the playground equipment at Vallance Gardens and Pennyfields Open Space, work will begin in the summer and notcies will be shared around the park with information. 

Previous developments

Refurbishment of multi use games areas (MUGAs)

New surfaces have been installed and line markings have been painted in the areas listed below. 

  • Bethnal Green Gardens
  • Mile End Adventure Base (non fenced and fenced MUGA)
  • Mile End Park Active Zone (Wennington Green)
  • Middleton Green
  • Poplar Recreation Ground
  • Ravenscroft
  • Shacklewell Street Ball Games Area
  • Whitehorse Road

Bartlett Park

The council have worked with Levitt Bernstein Landscape Architects to make major improvements to Bartlett Park.

The new fully inclusive playground, adult gym, grass pitches, dog walk area and the garden adjacent to St. Saviours are now open. A heritage and a nature information panel have been installed. 

The former adventure playground site will be converted into an ecology and play zone. 

The only work now outstanding is the opening of the new changing rooms.  Handover has not been completed due to the need for correction of defects by the manufacturer.

If you have any comments or questions about the project please contact bartlett.park@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Belgrave Open Space  

We have updated the play equipment including replacing the spider and net.  We have added new pieces of play equipment which include pieces suitable for toddlers. Some of the equipment is made from recycled materials. Work is now complete and the new equipment is in use.

For more information please contact parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Bethnal Green Gardens

Work has taken place to improve the sports courts. Improvements include:

  • Creation of an additional centre basketball court
  • Creation of a netball court
  • Refurbishment of the multi use games area.
  • Drainage works to prevent courts flooding
  • Installation of  low level fencing system around the three basketball courts to improve the playing experience
  • Colour spraying of all courts.

The tennis courts have been refurbished. Improvements include 

  • lighting upgrades
  • resurfacing
  • new nets, new posts and improvements to drainage. 

Bromley Recreation Ground (also known as Bob's Park)

This park is managed by the Bromley By Bow Centre.

The surface of the playground has now been fully refurbished and replaced with a safety surface. 

Christ Church Gardens

Scheme to refurbish the gardens .  Consultation has taken place.  This project is currently on hold.

Ford Square and Cavell Street Gardens

In 2018 and 2019 we carried out consultation with residents on improvements to Ford Square and Cavell Street Gardens. Following consultation the landscape architechts designed a revised plan to take on board residents’ concerns.  

Work has now been completed on this project. 

We have refurbished Ford Square playground.  The northern side of the square has been relandscaped.  We have completely refurbished Cavell Street Gardens.  The gardens now open on to the street making it a more welcoming place to visit. Outdoor chess tables have been installed in Cavell Street Gardens.  

For more information please contact park.projects@towerhamlets.gov.uk. or call us on 020 7364 5000.

Gosling Gardens

We have refurbished the playground and a new junior and toddler playground has been installed. At least 50 per cent of the equipment is suitable for children with additional needs. We havealso installed a small outdoor gym. New trees have been planted. 

Jolly’s Green

New play equipment, benches and bins have been installed. An outdoor gym was installed in the summer 2018.

Langdon Park Consultation

We are working to make improvements to Langdon Park. Following two rounds of consultation in 2022 the landscape design team are preparing designs based on the feedback received at the consultations.

Meath Gardens 

Two historic brick pillars at the north east entrance to the park, close to the changing rooms, have been restored.

A new outdoor gym has been installed. 

A new playground opened in September 2020.

The parks team has worked with officers from across the council and the Friends of Meath Gardens to restore the entrance arch. 

We have worked in partnerships with Friends of Meath Gardens to install a new heritage information panel.

Mile End Park

New play equipment was installed in the playground at the Children's Pavilion in summer 2021.  

The new Mile End Active Zone is open at Wennington Green.  New outdoor gym equipment has been installed for cardio, strengths and conditioning as well as a MUGA with line markings and colour spray. This gym is provided by KOMPAN, who also have their own app for exercises and workouts. 

We have replaced the old hardcore surface at Mile End Park BMX track with a new, hard wearing tarmac surface.

New soft play at The Play Pavilion 

A new soft playroom will open at The Children’s Pavilion, Mile End Park in January 2024.  The playroom will have stimulating and engaging accessible equipment for under 5’s.  Access to the play room will be through the Stay and Play Sessions that take place in The Children's Pavilion in Locksley Street.

The room will operate:
  • Tuesdays between 12:30-3:30pm,
  • Wednesdays between 10:00am-12:00pm and
  • Thursdays between 12:30-3:30pm during term time.

 Sessions are free and all families are welcome.  

Millwall Outer Dock Slipway

We are in discussions with freeholders of the wider slipway site about the opportunity to deliver an improved open space. This follows the production of an options appraisal, funded by the council’s Local Infrastructure Fund (LIF). 

A programme of improvements to this site opposite the Docklands Sailing Centre has been carried out.  The entrance way to the site has been improved with raised planters, new bollards and attractive floor surfacing. Work was completed in Spring 2019.

Millwall Park

A new outdoor gym was installed in the summer of 2018. 

Children's playground

A new children’s playground has been installed. Over 50 per cent of the equipment in the new playground is fully inclusive, allowing children with additional needs to access creative and imaginative play equipment. The toddler and junior areas have been combined into one spaces helping carers to see children of all ages. The design also incorporates the railway arches into the new play space. 

The play equipment temporarily installed to the Stebondale side of the park has been moved into the new play area. 

Football pitches

Improvement work to the 9v9 caged pitch off Stebondale Street is taking place.  The pitch is not available for use during this time. The other two grass pitches and rugby pitch are still available to book.


Visit our pitch bookings page for a full list of other football pitches in our parks. 

Mudchute Farm

Work to improve the farm’s facilities has been completed.  Improvements include:

  • upgrading to the system which provides water for the animals
  • upgrading the external lighting and electricity supply
  • resurfacing of paths to improve accessibility
  • upgrades to all toilets and community facilities,  including creating new community spaces and visitor hub/reception will.

Paradise Gardens

Development at the north end of Paradise Gardens has been concluded and the park has been refurbished. A new shrub bed has been created, new pathways have been laid and new benches, bins and signage have been installed.

Pollard Square

A new outdoor gym was installed in the summer of 2018.

Poplar Recreation Ground

The tennis courts have been refurbished. 

The multi use games area has been refurbished.  The improvements include resurfacing and new line markings.

The Angel Memorial to those lost in the WWI bombing of Upper North Street School has been repaired and fully restored. 

The former toilet block has been demolished. 

The new inclusive playgrounds is open.  The equipment in this playground is accessible to all children including those with additional needs. 

Two heritage information panels have been installed.  One to mark the centenary of the Poplar Rates Rebellion of 1921 and the other with information on the history of the recreation ground and immediate area. 

The mural in Hale Street has been restored.

Prospect Park

Funding from the Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities has allowed us to make improvements to Prospect Park

The improvement programme has been completed. Improvements include the planting of twenty new trees, new litter bins, new picnic tables and raised planting beds.  We have also installed a nest swing and new fencing around the playground.  The park railings have been repainted.  We are planting a new hedge, including native species, along the fence line in spring 2024. 

Residents joined park rangers for community bulb and wild flower planting sessions.  The new raised beds have plants specifically designed to attract insects and birds.

Ravenscroft Park

We have installed new toddler and junior playgrounds.  Old equipment has been removed and exciting new inclusive play equipment has been installed.  

Take a virtual tour of the new playground

A circular mosaic created by artist Rachel Lichenstein with children from Thomas Buxton and St. Anne’s schools in the mid 1990s, has been relocated from its former location in Brick Lane to Ravenscroft Park.

Ropewalk Gardens

A new outdoor gym was installed in the summer of 2018.

Shandy Park

Improvements have been made to path surfaces.  New benches and bins have been installed.  A new outdoor gym was installed in the summer of 2018.

St. James Gardens

A full refurbishment of the toddler and junior playground has taken place.  We have installed new play equipment, including accessible equipment for children with extra needs.  This is now available for use. 

We have take out some of the shrubbery in the park to anti-social behaviour.  We have added new herbaceous planting.  We will be planting trees to improve the air quality in the park. We will instal new bins and benches. 

St John's Park

We are carrying out shrub removal and replacement planting in St John’s Park.  The work will take place from mid February to March 2024

The aim of the work is to increase horticultural interest within the park

We apologise for any inconvenience caused whilst work is in progress

GreenTeamParks@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Lighting has been installed for the tennis courts to enable use during the short winter days.  A new playground was installed in the Spring of 2019.

St. Leonards Priory

The council's Public Health team are working with the local community, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, the Women’s Environmental Network and local residents and stakeholders to develop activities and improve this former churchyard.  A new heritage information panel has been installed. 

Sir John McDougall Gardens

A new outdoor gym was installed in the summer of 2018.

Stepney City Farm

Work to improve the farm’s facilities has been completed.  Improvements include:

  • upgrading the allotment area to make it more accessible to all
  • upgrading the electricity supply 
  • upgrading and ventaliation within the cabin area

Stepney Green Park

A new heritage information panel has been installed. A new outdoor gym has been installed. 

Stonebridge Wharf

Improvements have been made to path surfaces, access, seating and bins.   We are working to develop a cultural feature in the park, in partnership with Sir William Burrough Primary School and their artist in residence, Darcy Turner.

Swedenborg Gardens

Two heritage information panels have been installed.

Victoria Park

A new outdoor gym has been installed.

Wapping Gardens and Helling Street

A new outdoor gym has now been installed near the Turks Head in Wapping Gardens. 

Refurbishment work on playgrounds in Wapping Gardens and Helling Street has now been completed and both have re-opened.  We have also painted railings and installed new bins and benches.

Works to resurface the tennis courts and the kickabout area (MUGA) have been completed. 

 For more information please contact park.projects@towerhamlets.gov.uk, call us on 020 7364 5000 and ask for the Parks and Open Spaces team, or write to Parks and Open Spaces Team, Mile End Park Play Pavilion, Locksley Street, E14 7EJ.

Weavers Field

  • Our new, fully inclusive children's playground is now open.
  • A new outdoor gym has been installed in the central area of the park. 
  • New orientation and welcome signs have been installed at the entrances to the park.  The signs provide information about the park and show directions and facilities. 
  • The changing rooms have  been refurbished.
  • Weavers adventure playground has been refurbished and new play equipment has been installed. 
  • A new heritage information panel has been installed.

Whitehorse Lane open space

  • A new infants playground has been installed in June 2022. New animal themed equipments and markings has been installed. The equipment is suitable for children up to age five. 50 per cent of the equipment is inclusive.  

Whitehorse Road Adventure Playground

  • The kick-about area (MUGA) has been resurfaced.
  • New inclusive play equipment has been installed.  

For more information about changes to parks in Tower Hamlets contact park.projects@towerhamlets.gov.uk