HARLOW’S much-loved free paddling pools and splash parks are officially open for the school summer holidays, offering families a fantastic way to cool off and enjoy the sunshine.

All the preparations have been completed, and all sites are set for residents to enjoy throughout the six-week break. Indeed, most sites were actually able to open earlier this year thanks to all the work to ready them for use being completed ahead of schedule.

As part of the council’s mission to ‘transform our council’ and ensure that services reflect the needs and wishes of local residents, further improvements have been made to the facilities this year. New sunshades have been installed at Staple Tye and Sumners, with plans to add more at other locations that lack natural shade.

The town boasts four paddling pools located at:

Harlow Town Park
Bush Fair
Norman Booth in Old Harlow
Sumners

And two splash parks at:

Staple Tye
Potter Street

Councillor Danielle Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Community, said:

“I’ve been absolutely thrilled to see so many happy faces enjoying the fantastic splash park at Potter Street this past couple of weeks! It’s heartwarming to witness the joy these spaces bring to our community.

“We’re incredibly lucky in Harlow to have six free-to-use paddling pools and splash parks – more than any other town in the UK! They’re a brilliant way for families to enjoy the summer holidays, and thanks to continued council investment, they just keep getting better.

“A huge thank you to all the teams from across the council and HTS who worked so hard to get the sites ready, your dedication has made such a difference. Both myself, and council staff, were eager to open the pools even earlier, and while we faced a few unexpected challenges that prevented them from being opened as early as we had hoped, I’m delighted they’re now fully open – and even a little earlier than planned in some cases! We’ve also added much-needed shade at Staple Tye and Sumners to help families stay cool.

“Here’s hoping the sunshine returns soon so everyone can make the most of these fantastic facilities. Enjoy your summer, Harlow!”

Please note that the Staple Tye Splash Park is extremely popular, and parking is limited. Visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle, or use public transport where possible. If driving, please park responsibly and follow local parking regulations.

All paddling pools and splash parks are open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm. For updates on the status of each site, please check the council’s website or social media channels.