Welcome to Day 3 of the 2025 Harehills Good News Advent Calendar!
Yesterday, we grabbed a coffee and treats at CATCH; today, we are heading up the hill to burn off the energy.
When Harehills Park was established in 1901, it was part of a grand Victorian vision to create the “Lungs of Leeds”—green spaces designed to give inner-city residents escape and fresh air away from the industrial smog. Fast forward 124 years to 2025, and that mission hasn’t just been preserved; it has been upgraded for the 21st century.
This year, the four tennis courts at Harehills Park have been completely transformed. Thanks to a partnership between Leeds City Council and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), along with funding linked to the new affordable housing developments on Amberton Road, the courts have received a major refurbishment. We are talking high-quality surfaces, new nets, and a smart gate access system.
The upgrades are also supporting weekly Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions, providing equipment and coaching to turn the youth of LS9 into the next generation of Grand Slam champions.
Our local Gipton and Harehills Councillors—Salma Arif, Asghar Ali, and Mothin Ali—have been instrumental in championing these improvements, ensuring that our area gets the world-class facilities it deserves while protecting the “free to play” principle.
Crucially, this investment protects the “free to play” principle. While the technology is new, the access remains free for local residents, removing the financial barriers that often stop young people from picking up a racket.
ow to Play: While the courts are free, you do need to book a slot to ensure you can get on.
- Visit the ClubSpark website
- Pick your date and time
- Receive a unique code to open the smart gate
You can also use this system to book the cricket nets, which were upgraded last year and featured in our 2024 calendar.
Respect the Space: To keep these facilities top-notch for everyone, please remember that the tennis courts are strictly for tennis. They aren’t for walking dogs or general hangouts—there are plenty of other beautiful spots in the park for that! (The same rule applies to the Bowling Greens—please keep off the grass unless you are playing with the Harehills Park Bowling Club).
From Victorian promenades to modern match-points, Harehills Park remains the beating heart—and lungs—of our community.
Other places to feature this amazing story:
Leeds City Council News: (https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/parks-tennis-courts-given-complete-overhaul)
Book Tennis & Cricket (ClubSpark):(https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HarehillsPark)
East Side Story: (https://eastsidestory.co.uk/harehills-tennis-courts-set-for-boost/)
Harehills ❤️ Love 
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