January 2025:
Welcome to a new year in your park, we hope that you were able to relax and spend some time with your family and friends during the Christmas holiday period.
The Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association had a busy year in 2025, working on behalf of all park users, and in partnership with Harrow Council.
Last year we held 5 major events in the park, open to all, from “Kites & Bikes” in May through to a brilliant dog show in September. There were also numerous awareness activities with our nature experts, which are always popular.
Throughout the year our Community Gardening and Litter Picking teams worked hard to keep the park looking good – our contribution to another year of Green Flag status for the park in 2025/26.
We’ve also been busy along with our volunteers and the Council, on projects to improve the park. To highlight just a few:
- In January, we planted hedge whips to cover new areas of our boundary and fill gaps
- Also in January, we assembled and installed a dozen new bird and bat nesting boxes – we will be doing a survey soon, to see whether any have been in use
- Over the summer we cleared vegetation from around our heritage drinking fountain, and started the work of removing a century of dirt and algae
- Thanks to funds raised by our Organisation Members we have been able to service the Green Canopy in front of the café - a valuable all-weather resource, created by HRUA.
- We have smart new information panels at our entrances, installed by the council – we contributed to the panel design, and organised an additional panel using funds allocated by our Marlborough councillors.
- In collaboration with friends of the park, Ignite Youth, and a very generous allocation of funds from Headstone councillors, we successfully lobbied the council to provide new back-boards and nets and a new surface for our well-used basketball and exercise court.
- Thanks to monitoring and reporting by HRUA members, and our persistent lobbying, we now have council enforcement action on misuse of our car park, resulting in much-improved availability of spaces for genuine park users.
- Finally, October saw the culmination of 12 months’ work, when we a installed a new commemorative plaque, and held a moving re-dedication ceremony for our Far East Prisoners of War memorial tree.
We are now planning and looking forward to another year of fun events, activities and improvements in our park. We hope that you will be taking part, maybe with our volunteer team or maybe even joining our Management Committee to help organise our work.
Your Officers and Committee - Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association
STOP PRESS!
Women watch this space and tell your friends:
Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association is excited to be participating in Harrow Council's programme to make our parks more welcoming for girls and young women - in conjunction with the charity "Making Space for Girls"
This spring, we are launching our Her Harrow Rec project with a women-only sports coaching programme. The coaching will be funded using our own resources, plus a grant from Harrow Council, the UK Government, and the Mayor of London.
Sessions are free for women under 25 and girls. Tennis sessions will start on 10th January, and football, for 12 to 16 year old girls, starts on 7th February.
Watch out on this page or our Facebook Group for timing and details, or email info@harrowrec.org.uk
Who We Are
The Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association (HRUA) is a voluntary group of park users who organise around 10 free events in ‘The Rec’ each year, open to all.
We act when needed as a support and lobbying group on behalf of park users, and we aim to work in partnership with other park groups and clubs, and Harrow Council to make sure that the facilities in the park can be enjoyed by all.
Our governing documents and minutes are published online. You can follow the links below to see them, or to join our work.
Around the Park
Take off your earphones, turn up your senses, and enjoy our beautiful trees, lawns, gardens and wildlife.
You’ll find all the usual park facilities at ‘The Rec’: football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, children’s playground.
In the Ahimsa Peace Garden you can enjoy the tranquillity of the fenced Quiet Area or meet friends or hold a party in the Picnic Area.
You can get fit at two outdoor gyms, use the covered area for your outdoor events (free booking required), and get refreshments at the popular SEVA Cafe.
Clubs & Activities
There has been a bowling ground at the Rec since its earliest days, and Harrow Bowling Club was formed around 1902.
The Rec is also home to Harrow St Mary’s Youth Football Club and the 3-Bridges Cricket Club.
Activities open to all include:
- Harrow parkrun (Saturdays 9am by Harrow St Mary’s Pavilion);
- Tai Chi for Health (Fridays 9:30 to 10:30 near the café or on the Basketball Court);
- Group Exercise (Tuesdays 9:45 to 10:45 near the Tennis Courts or on the Basketball Court);
- and Harrow Health Walk (weekly, multiple days).
For a full list, and more details, see the "regular activities" section further down this page.
Volunteering
HRUA runs about ten events each year - free for all to join and always very popular - and the help of our supporters is essential to organise and run these.
The Harrow Rec Community gardeners meet twice per month to help keep the park tidy and beautiful, and safe for all users - working in conjunction with the Harrow Council Green Team.
Our regular book sales are a great way to ‘recycle’ books, and raise valuable funds for our programmes and activities.
We also work with Harrow Council in planning and completing improvements to the park infrastructure and facilities
Upcoming Events
Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association has organised some exciting events for you and your families to enjoy throughout the year...
Click on the link for a full programme, and watch out for updates on our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group, as events may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Saturdays, from 10th January
2pm to 3pm
Her Harrow Rec - Tennis Coaching Sessions
With Emma Wells Tennis coaches, delivered in partnership with Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
These girls- and women-only coaching sessions provide a safe, supportive space to try something new, get active, and make new friends.
Sessions are free to girls and young women aged 11–25, £5 per session for women from 26-99.
Sign up at: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HarrowRec/Coaching
Regular Events, Groups, & Team Activities
Here are some events and activities that take place in our park, every week "come rain, come shine". Why not come along and join in, no invitation necessary. Send us an email, or check our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group for more details.
Monthly, on first Monday and fourth Friday
From April 'til Nov 2-4 pm
Garden Team
Calling all gardeners! Never mind the weather or the season, we meet for digging, planting, tidying, taming, sweeping and litter-picking.
Whether you are green-fingered or all thumbs you will be welcomed, there are jobs to suit everyone, and fun and companionship besides.
Find us either at the "Green Pavilion" (near to the Cafe and Bowling Green), in the Ahimsa Peace Garden (near the basket ball courts), or out and about in the park with spade, secateurs and broom!
Monthly, on last Wednesday
11:30 am-1:00 pm
Good Neighbour Reconnection Club
Join Age UK at the park cafe, every last Wednesday of the month for some fun, chat and activities as we reconnect with each other and the community!
Please feel free to get in touch with us on 020 8756 4391 or email
Each Friday,
9.30 until 10.30
Harrow Tai Chi for Health
We are a community group who are actively promoting the joy of practising tai chi in the open parks for health and general well being.
Our Harrow Rec sessions are 9.30am to 10.30am every Friday morning and they are free and full of fun. Hope you will make new friends and have an enjoyable one hour of fresh air, gentle exercise, tranquility and mindfulness with us.
We meet near the green canopy by the cafe or in the basket ball at 9.30am. We look forward to seeing you.
As advertised on LTA website
Tennis Sessions
Please see the Emma Wells Tennis pages on the LTA "clubspark" website for news of upcoming free tennis sessions and coaching programmes in our park
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HarrowRec/Coaching
Each Saturday, 09.00
Harrow Rec parkrun
parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event that takes place at thousands of venues across the world.
Parkrunners run, jog or walk our 5k course at their own pace.
More information can be found on the Harrow parkrun website
Each Tuesday,
9.45 to 10:45
Group Exercise
aka "bootcamp". Join our exercise group out in the fresh air every Tuesday morning. And then, maybe stay on for a friendly chat in the cafe afterwards.
Meet on grass, near to the tennis courts - or the basketball court.
All Welcome:
Each Friday,
10.45 to 11.15 am
Women of all ages:
Each Wednesday,
12.55 pm
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (March-Oct), 11 am
Harrow Health Walks
Want to get active and meet new people? Join one of our friendly walking groups in Harrow Recreation Ground
Walking has numerous health benefits. Walking in nature is self care and excellent for the mind, body & spirit.
Enjoy an easy-paced walk around our beautiful park with a friendly and supportive group. Bring a friend or make new ones as it’s a great way to catch up and stay active.
Supported by Harrow Council and Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
No need to book, just turn up and meet the group at the park cafe. For more information, see posters in the park, or email us at info@harrowrec.org
