Berkeley welcomed over 400 local residents at Heron Wharf, Poplar, on Saturday to mark the official opening of a new public park – giving access to the banks of the River Lea for the first time in generations.

The 1.5-acre park includes a network of footpaths, lawns, benches and natural habitats, creating accessible, inclusive spaces for rest, play and community use.

The landscape has been carefully designed to enhance and restore local biodiversity, including an open mosaic habitat with areas of rich and poor soils, and shade and light, which supports a mix of flora and fauna. The park also hosts nature-friendly log piles and bug drums to support invertebrates.

To mark the opening, Berkeley partnered with local businesses to host a community celebration, featuring activities including Pilates, boxing and a pop-up talk show, alongside food stalls, live music, bouncy castles, face painting and an open-air cinema.

The new park is part of the wider transformation of this 20-acre former gasworks area into Heron Wharf which, once complete, will include over 2,800 homes and 90,000 sq ft of commercial and community space.

In the years ahead, the site’s 500 metres of river frontage will be fully opened up to the public and the park will expand to 2.5 acres, including a new play space and meadow. Heron Wharf is being delivered as a connected, self-sustaining neighbourhood, with future plans including a grocery store, crèche, independent cafés, and a riverside pub.

Berkeley’s commitment to local employment and skills has already seen over 360 people from Tower Hamlets employed on-site, with apprenticeships and STEM events supporting future talent.

This long-term investment reflects Berkeley Group’s commitment to creating welcoming places that support and strengthen the communities around them.

Harry Lewis, Divisional Land and Development Director at Berkeley Capital, said: “The park opening is a significant milestone for everyone involved in Heron Wharf. This project is all about creating lasting benefits for the local community, reviving a part of the riverside that’s been closed off for generations and building the homes local people need.

“The park is central to our vision, helping to unlock the site’s full potential and set the tone for a high-quality, inclusive neighbourhood.”