Aging Markeaton Park Paddling Pool under repair as future options explored

Markeaton Park Paddling Pool is closed for repair work due to ongoing problems caused by the age of the structure, as Derby City Council explores options for future improvements to the area. 

The paddling pool opened as scheduled for the May Bank Holiday weekend and half term. However, since opening, new damage has occurred to the pool surface meaning it has been necessary to temporarily close the facility to the public for safety reasons. Emergency repair works have been arranged and Council teams are doing everything they can with the aim of safely reopening the facility for the school summer holidays. 

Extensive repair works to the pool surface were carried out in 2024 in a significant effort by the Council to preserve and extend the life of the historic attraction. However, it has now become apparent that the pool, which was created in the 1970s to replace the original 1920s paddling pool, is approaching the end of its lifespan. 

Alongside this, the Council is now actively exploring modern, long-term options for the future of the site that will complement the park’s many other popular attractions, ensuring Markeaton Park as a whole remains a much-loved family destination for generations to come.