We probably all like to think of ourselves as friends of parks – after all, we all enjoy these open spaces and the opportunities for fresh air, leisure and activity they provide. But the UK also has more than 7,000 Friends of Parks groups, a movement of grass-roots volunteers acting on behalf of local communities, who use and care about their vital green places.
31st October 2023
These independent user groups serve as a forum for discussion about the park or recreation ground in question, and promote more effective use of the facility to a greater number of people across the relevant community. They also hold events and raise funds for these spaces.
Additionally, there’s often a focus on biodiversity, conservation and accessibility for all, particularly socially excluded groups. Friends of Parks groups also work to include users of all ages, from young children to older people.
Friends of Parks groups are passionate about their green space’s life and in preserving its heritage while working for its future.
Fresh Air Fitness is a leading UK provider of a range of outdoor gym equipment to suit all ages and fitness levels. We have worked with many such organisations striving to support local open spaces.
Outdoor gyms provide a wonderful facility for people of all abilities to exercise while enjoying their park; older people, teens, those returning from injury, people wanting to live a healthier lifestyle for a better quality of life, or those who already exercise regularly but want do so in their local park or to save the cost of a gym membership.
We’re there every step of the way, from initial consultation and design through to installation and beyond. We have delivered solutions for projects of all sizes and budgets, providing advice on things like surface type, product selection and complentary introductory fitness sessions using the new equipment for the whole community to attend. At the same time, we offer extensive guidance on fundraising.
Kingsmead Field is an informal public space lying just outside the centre of town. Local people use the area for a number of activities from dog walking to football, and it provides an important contrast with the densely urban heart of the city.
A voluntary group has run the park since 2015, when it stopped Kingsmead from being given over to residential development.
The Friends of Kingsmead Park, in close collaboration with Canterbury City Council which owns the ground, came to us for specialist advice on fitting an open-air gym there.
We carried out an initial site visit and held extensive discussions to gain a detailed understanding of what the project needed. We proposed a six-piece outdoor gym with our Big Rig, to fit 25 users and provide a range of strength training and cardio equipment catering for many different ages and abilities. Using these pieces also develops flexibility and balance, plus we provided options for users with disabilities. Meanwhile, rubber matting protects the surrounding grass from the heavy footfall around the gym area.
We held fitness sessions, supplied a video library and attended the launch event, to help local people get their al fresco gym off to a cracking start.
The cost of the facility was met by the council, the Friends, Kent County Playing Fields Association and ex-Kent County Councillor Graham Gibbens.
Today, the site has many different users. Sian Pettman, of the Friends group, told us:
“The green gym is a fantastic resource for the local community which will encourage even more people to engage in active recreation on the field.”
We could help your Friends group, too. Get in touch today to start a conversation about how we could transform your local green space and the way it’s used.
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