Keeping City Road Basin Alive: Our Environmental Promise

Tucked away in the heart of Islington, City Road Basin is more than just a stretch of water. It’s a living, breathing space which has been shaped by history, sustained by community and protected by care.

At Islington Boat Club, we see ourselves as custodians of this unique environment. Every day, through our activities on and off the water, we work to keep City Road Basin active, respected and alive for future generations.

A Place With History and a Future

City Road Basin has long been part of London’s industrial and social history, once serving as a vital transport link and now standing as a reminder of how waterways continue to shape city life.

For decades, Islington Boat Club has been based here, evolving alongside the basin itself. What started as a place for boating and skills development has grown into a community hub where environmental responsibility, social impact and wellbeing go hand in hand.

We believe that waterways thrive when people are connected to them.

Protecting the Water Through Participation

An active waterway is a cared-for waterway. By running regular kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding sessions, we ensure City Road Basin remains used, visible and valued.

Our environmental promise is built into everything we do:

• Teaching young people to respect the water and wildlife

• Promoting responsible use of equipment and shared space

• Encouraging curiosity about urban nature and ecosystems

• Keeping the basin clean, safe and welcoming through everyday stewardship

For many of our participants, this is their first meaningful interaction with a natural environment right in the middle of the city.

Environmental Care Meets Social Impact

Our work on City Road Basin isn’t just about the environment. It’s about people and the community.

Through our programmes, we support:

• Young people building confidence, focus and resilience

• Individuals who may feel disconnected from green and blue spaces

• Communities who benefit from shared, safe public environments

Time on the water encourages mindfulness, responsibility and connection to both nature and to each other. One young participant summed it up simply:

“It’s the joy and the happiness it gives. That happiness will then carry on. On the water you’re really enjoying paddling. That happiness and joy carries on into the evening. And the next day the memory of it means that you are feeling good. Paddling is one of those things that maintains happiness. And in a group you chat about it and have a laugh. So, it’s the social side as well as the water. And age doesn’t matter we had people from 29 to 84. On the water you’re not limited by your age or mobility. We had a couple of people on crutches, if you are on a walk you’re slower, but on the water you’re paddling together.”

Transformations That Start on the Water

We regularly see how access to City Road Basin changes people’s relationship with their surroundings. Young people who once felt unsure become confident paddlers. Those who were hesitant to engage begin to take pride in caring for the space.

Instructors, volunteers and participants often speak about:

• Increased confidence and independence

• Greater awareness of environmental responsibility

• A sense of ownership and belonging

The basin becomes their space  and something worth protecting.

A Shared Responsibility

Keeping City Road Basin alive isn’t something we do alone. It’s a shared effort between the club, our participants, partners, volunteers and the wider community.

By staying rooted here, by welcoming new people onto the water, and by treating the basin with respect, we help ensure it remains a place of activity rather than neglect and connection rather than isolation.

Our Promise

Our promise is simple:

• To continue caring for City Road Basin through active use

• To inspire environmental respect through education and experience

• To ensure this space remains open, inclusive and alive

As long as people are paddling, learning and finding confidence on this water, City Road Basin will continue to thrive.

If you’d like to learn more about our work, support our programmes, or experience the basin for yourself, visit http://www.islingtonboatclub.com.

Because protecting our waterways starts with people who care.