April 2026
It's springtime in the park, and you may have seen the Harrow Council Green Team out and about, getting the park ready for our annual Green Flag inspection. We have had our flag for many years now, and we are very proud of it, but there's a lot of work to be done to make sure we are looking our best, so your user association has been in the park too, supporting the Green Team.
The HRUA Management Committee has spent the quiet winter months planning our programme of summer events, and now May is around the corner, which means that it's time to stop planning and start the fun.
We kick the programme off with our ever popular Spring Bug Hunt (for the young ones) and the Spring Tree Walk (for all) to get you out of the house and into the lovely, fresh spring air.
Also in May, it's time to dig your kites out of the cupboard and dust off your bikes and bring them down to the park on Sunday afternoon, 17th of May, for our annual Kites & Bikes Festival.
Details of all three events can be found in the Events section of this Home Page, and on our "Friends of Harrow Rec" Facebook Group. I've you've not tried them before, now's the time to get out and have some fun.
See you there!
STOP PRESS!
UPDATE: sports coaching sessions are underway right now, for young women and girls.
Learn new skills! Make new friends! Get out in the Fresh Air!
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 coaching programme for girls and young women. The coaching will be funded using our own resources, plus a grant from Harrow Council, the UK Government, and the Mayor of London.
Tennis coaching sessions are on selected Saturdays at 2pm - free for women under 25 and girls.
Football training for girls aged 12 to 16 year old start on Saturday 7th February.
Sessions continue through to late April
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.
Sunday 3rd May,
10.30am to 12.30
Spring Bug Hunt
The Spring Bug hunt is back in the park - a fun and instructive family event. Come and root around in flower beds, hedges, and tree trunks, searching for the small creatures that do so much work for us in the park.
Meet under the canopy by the cafe and either bring your own collecting jar or pick one up from us. When you've finished searching, listen as the ranger examines your finds and tells you all about their lives and what they do for us.
Sunday 10th May,
10.30am to 12.30
Spring Tree Walk with John Wells
Join our "expert dendrologist", for a walk beneath the park’s trees, to learn how to identify them, how they reproduce and grow, and about the diversity of natural life that they support.
John’s walks are always popular, as he shares his vast knowledge with friendly humour and an easy-going style.
Meet by the Hindes Road gate. We will return to the park cafe after the walk for a free beverage and more chat.
Sunday 17th May,
2 to 5pm
Kites & Bikes
Festival 2026
Spring is here, and it’s time to dust off that old bicycle and pull your kite out of the back of the cupboard, because the Kites & Bikes Festival is back!
Dr. Bike will be with us, to check that your bike is in good working order, and to advise on fixing any issues (if it’s a simple job the Dr. might be able to fix it there and then).
Hopefully there will be a good breeze for kite flying. If you don’t have your own, we have kits and can help you make one, or you can buy one of our reasonably-priced, ready-made models.
Join the party on the south field, near to the Bowling Green & Cafe.
Saturdays, from 10th January
2pm to 3pm
Until late April
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
Saturdays, from 7th Febuary
12.30 to 2pm
Until late April
Her Harrow Rec - Football Training Sessions
With Harrow St. Marys Football Club, delivered in partnership with Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
Football training sessions suitable for girls aged 12-16, starting Saturday 7th of Feb and running every week until April 25th. These sessions are free! and no need to register - just turn up, make new friends, and learn new skills.
Training will be run by Harrow St. Marys Football Club, at their pavilion in the Rec (in the corner nearest Harrow town centre). For more details contact the football club on 07837 740546, or email hsmlittlest@gmail.com. Also watch out on our Facebook Group for updates, or email info@harrowrec.org.uk.
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
