Following two protest swims at Leeds Dock recently, a community walk will take place from Leeds Dock to Thwaite Mills and back on Sunday (27 September 2026) starting at 1pm launching a Campaign to Make Leeds a Swimmable City.
Environmental campaigners, outdoor swimmers and supporters are highlighting the value of blue spaces to support public health, nature, and the local economy. The launch event is taking place on the 21st anniversary of World Rivers Day.
Campaigners are calling for Leeds City Council to become a signatory of the international ‘Swimmable Cities’ alliance.
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourages the improved stewardship of rivers around the world. Rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead.
On the fourth Sunday of September, World Rivers Day commemorates the many values of our rivers and encourages river stewardship and conservation around the globe – this massive worldwide event involving more than 100 countries and millions of participants has its roots in British Columbia Rivers Day.
‘Swimmable Cities’ is a global initiative shaping urban liveability, climate resilience and social equity in communities around the world. It is inspired by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Regeneration.
Cities around the world are under growing pressure from climate change, public health, and urban growth challenges. Restoring access to clean water is emerging as a powerful way to cool cities, improve wellbeing and reconnect people with nature.
Since launching their Charter before the Paris Olympics, the growing international alliance of municipalities, organisations and advocates includes 255 diverse organisations across 121 cities and towns in 38 countries.
The global Swimmable Cities initiative is on a mission to mainstream ‘swimmability’ in urban planning, integrated water management and tourism destination development. The goal is to restore rivers, lakes, coastlines and waterfronts as public spaces that support health, climate resilience and urban life.
Leeds city centre offers many spaces for shopping, dining and commercial activity, but far fewer places for accessible recreation, wellbeing, and community connection.
Many European cities are becoming swimmable cities, transforming urban waterways into clean, safe, public swimming spaces.
Swimmable urban waterways provide:
- Improved physical, mental and social wellbeing
- Inclusive civic spaces
- Environmental resilience
- Stronger local communities
- Enhanced biodiversity and ecosystems
Open water swimming also provides significant health benefits, including improved mood, reduced stress, better sleep, enhanced cardiovascular fitness, and support for chronic conditions such as asthma and Type 2 diabetes. Swimming communities reduce social isolation and help build strong local networks.
In a city facing widening health inequalities, declining healthy life expectancy and rising obesity rates and social isolation, accessible spaces for sport and wellbeing are essential. Campaigners are calling for Leeds City Council to become a signatory of the international ‘Swimmable Cities’ alliance.
The event is organised by local campaigners who wish to make Leeds a ‘Swimmable City’, and is jointly led by Dr Fiona Turner and Councillor Jordan Bowden.
Dr Fiona Turner, a former public health doctor, said:
“World Rivers Day 2026 is a global initiative to acknowledge the importance of protecting our blue spaces and river health. We want to build on Leeds City Council’s existing work to protect our waterways and request that the City endorses the ‘Swimmable Cities’ Charter. This is about much more than swimming: ‘swimmability’ is a powerful catalyst for the regeneration of social, cultural, ecological and economic systems in urban communities.”
Cllr Jordan Bowden, Labour Councillor for Roundhay Ward and Chair of Licensing Committee, added:
“I fully support this initiative to Make Leeds a ‘Swimmable City’ and I am actively raising the issue with my Councillor colleagues. The walk on World Rivers Day is an opportunity to celebrate and augment Leeds City Council’s leadership in building climate-resilient communities and protecting the waterways and natural spaces that make our city such a great place to live and visit.”
This post is based on a press release issued by the Campaign to make Leeds a Swimmable City
Photo: the recent Swim Protest at Leeds Dock
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