Cantelowes Gardens playground, sandpit and padel court proposals

Closed 21 Oct 2025

Opened 30 Sep 2025

Feedback expected 28 Nov 2025

Contact

parks@camden.gov.uk

02079744444

parks@camden.gov.uk

Results updated 5 Nov 2025

To address the concerns raised in earlier engagement about the proposal to introduce a padel court to Cantelowes Gardens, indicative landscape plans were developed and shared via public engagement during September/October 2025.  We aimed to demonstrate Camden’s commitment to re-providing existing park features are deliverable. These re-provided features include:

  • A new play area and sandpit would be delivered.
  • Picnic benches and social seating would remain part of the park environment.
  • All new amenities would be completed before or at the same time as the padel court to preserve park enjoyment for local families.

Along with this online survey, two pop-up engagement sessions were held in the park on 9 October 1-4.30pm and Saturday 11 October 10.30am -1.30pm to meet people, allow them to try out padel on the sports pitch and talk through the landscape plans.  

The results from this round of engagement are presented in the attached document below. 

 

Files:

Overview

Over the last year we have been working on a proposal to introduce a Padel court to Cantelowes Gardens (NW5 2AU).  Padel is a fast growing, inclusive sport in the UK with a real buzz around it.  

Following a feasibility study which identified Cantelowes Gardens as a suitable location for a padel court in one of Camden’s parks, we carried out some engagement about the project and worked up some initial plans, information about this stage of the project can be found here Cantelowes Gardens padel proposal 2024/25  and Planning Application - 2025/1301/P

We understand and appreciate the concerns raised by residents to the earlier round of engagement about the proposed padel court.  In response to the community feedback received, we have further developed plans to demonstrate how we could introduce a padel court while improving existing features of the park such as the play areas and sandpit.

Key community concerns

  • Loss of the sandpit and playground
  • Loss of picnic benches
  • Introduction of a fee-based facility

Our response and commitments

To address these concerns, a revised landscape plan has been developed. It ensures that:

  • The existing sand pit will be redesigned to an equal or increased area
  • The new sandpit will be fenced, dogs will not be allowed
  • The play value of the new sandpit will be increased with added play features and equipment 
  • New play areas for children 12 and under.
  • New social area for young people aged 12+
  • Picnic benches and social seating will be provided
  • We have slightly reduced the footprint of the padel court by removing the 'out of play areas' previously proposed 

Padel court - inclusive access and community benefits

  • Affordable pricing: £25/hour standard rate; £15/hour concession rate. Average cost of a padel court booking in London is around £45 per hour.
  • For a group of 4 with one concession player (e.g., under 16, over 60, or disabled), this equates to just £3.75 per person.
  • Commitment to 10 hours of free weekly access for local community groups.
  • Local schools and community organisations are encouraged to get in touch to discuss potential bookings via parks@camden.gov.uk.

We remain committed to delivering a park that meets the needs of all users including re-providing valued spaces such as a sandpit, new playground and social seating while introducing padel which is a fun and inclusive new sport.

Why your views matter

We would like to share some draft plans and illustrations with you, and ask for your feedback.  The plans are shown at the bottom of this page, under 'Related' 

Please note that further engagement work will follow as the park improvement project progresses. 

Events

Areas

  • Cantelowes

Audiences

  • Residents

Interests

  • Leisure