Sport is woven into the fabric of British life, shaping communities, improving health, and bringing people together. But as our Game Changer II report showed, the acceleration of climate change threatens the spaces where we play, train, and compete. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and urban heat islands are making it harder for communities — especially in dense city environments — to access safe, green, and resilient spaces for sport.
The ambitious plan for Marlborough Sports Garden (MSG), a project led by BASIS-member Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), seeks to meet this challenge head-on. Their aim is to create a climate-resilient, nature-positive sports hub, ensuring that community sport remains at the heart of city life for generations to come.
First opened as a public park in 1921, MSG has long been a sanctuary for sport and recreation amid the capital’s urban sprawl. However, as London developed, the space fell into disrepair, and for a time, its very existence was under threat. Thanks to the determined efforts of BOST and local campaigners, MSG was saved and revitalised. Today, it serves 55,000 visitors each year, providing vital opportunities for children, older adults, and people with disabilities to be active and connect with others.
BOST’s ambitious £5 million redevelopment plan isn’t just about improving sports facilities — it’s about pioneering sustainable urban sport in the face of climate change. The vision includes:
Nature-based cooling solutions – Increased tree planting, green roofs, and climbing plants to reduce heat stress, making the site a cooler, more comfortable place to play.
Water conservation and climate adaptation – Rainwater harvesting to provide a sustainable water source for maintenance, reducing reliance on mains supply.
A truly circular construction approach – The entire redevelopment is designed for minimal waste, using reclaimed steel and timber, and following a ‘design for disassembly’ principle to allow for future reuse of materials.
A low-carbon operations model – The site seeks to be powered by solar panels and heat source pumps, ensuring long-term energy efficiency.
Sustainable sport for all – The upgraded facilities aim to help tackle health inequalities in one of London’s most deprived areas, making sport more accessible and inclusive while ensuring that environmental sustainability is at its core.
MSG is in an area where 91% of homes are flats, meaning many local residents lack private green space. This contributes to the borough’s high obesity rates – Southwark has the highest rate of childhood obesity at Year 6 of any local authority in England, while 50% of adults are overweight or obese. Access to safe, well-designed sports spaces goes beyond the luxury of leisure, it is the future of public health, social cohesion, and climate resilience.
By embedding sustainability into its very foundations, this project seeks to make MSG a model for how sport and the environment can thrive together. It demonstrates that even in the most built-up urban areas, we can create spaces that absorb heat, manage water, cut emissions, and enhance biodiversity—all while providing a place for people to come together and play.
The project has already secured backing from Southwark Council and the London Marathon Foundation, but to make this vision a reality, further investment is needed. BASIS encourages businesses, donors, and the wider sports community to explore opportunities to support this pioneering project — one that aims to set a new standard for sustainable community sport across the country.
