Everyone loves Ruskin Park paddling pool! Take a walk in the park on a warm day and that’s where the crowd will be – kids and families from Camberwell, Herne Hill, and Loughborough Junction splashing about in the water, enjoying a picnic, getting ice cream, just having fun.

After public funding was withdrawn in 2016 it was saved in the short term due to the efforts of of a committed group of volunteers and generous donations from the local community.

The Friends of Ruskin Park are now hoping that the paddling pool can be kept running as a ‘community operation’ on an ongoing basis. This will involve recruiting more volunteers, securing sponsorship from local businesses and fundraising at other events such as our Summer Fete.

We have a great team in place but there is currently a gap in funding, and so we are seeking to raise at least £5,000 from donors to support our costs. If successful, we aim to again have the pool open from May to September in both 2018 and 2019.

Keeping the paddling pool open is a big job. Each year we have to:

• Re-paint  the pool using anti-fungal and non slip paint
• Perform daily litmus and chlorine testing
• Carry out biological testing once a month
• Jetwash the pool at least once a month.

As well as costs such as buying equipment and supplies, the money raised will be spent on contracting a professional service to carry out maintenance that can’t be done by volunteers. We will also work in partnership with Lambeth Council and Magda and Gaia from the Ruskin Park Cafe.

We are also looking for people to volunteer to help with tasks such as painting and monthly cleaning. You can sign up as a volunteer using this form.

With your help we aim to keep the paddling pool open for as long as possible.