Exciting upgrades coming to Hackney Downs Courts and Outdoor Facilities

Hackney Council has been awarded £105,000 from the London Marathon Foundation to refurbish the basketball courts, multi-use games area (MUGA) and outdoor gym equipment at Hackney Downs – with works due to start this summer.

The project will deliver safer, free-to-use courts, improved outdoor gym facilities, and a community-led programming offer in partnership with Hackney Wolves basketball club and Hoopsfix Foundation. At the same time, a new borough-wide Hackney MUGA Charter – led by the Hackney MUGA Working Group, which brings together local sports organisations, youth workers and council staff – will be launched to bring together council departments to commit to maintaining and protecting Hackney’s 60+ MUGAs.

Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: “MUGAs are vital spaces for young people in Hackney, offering fun, fitness and a sense of belonging, regardless of circumstances. This funding will improve Hackney Downs, make the space more accessible, particularly for women and girls, and raise the profile of these spaces across the borough.”

Luke Billingham, Co-Chair of the MUGA Working Group added: “The MUGA Charter is about recognising the value of these courts as social infrastructure and making sure the community has a voice in how they’re run. This is a big step in the right direction.”

The Charter has already been signed by senior leaders in the Council’s Housing, Regeneration, Public Health, Parks and Youth services. It will continue to be promoted borough-wide, with the ambition that all relevant bodies will join.

Refurbishment of Hackney Downs facilities is due to complete in late summer / early autumn 2025.