49 Active Parks

Synthesis of the case study

We wanted to remove all barriers to physical activity, to encourage people to get active at a grass route level, which meant carefully selecting deprived communities where people don’t have access to services. By offering a wide range of activities in people's local parks, they have the opportunity to try something new, or something they otherwise would have been unable to do due to cost implications, location, or fear. Some of the sessions we offer are aiming at specific groups. Tai Chi is aimed at an elderly group, however we have no restrictions and keep it inclusive to everybody, meaning if a grandad is looking after his grandchild, they are both welcomed at the session and able to participate. By offering a wide choice of activities there is something for everybody to join in with, we have walking groups, zumba sessions, Green fit baby, Tai chi, walking football, Free family fun sessions (which entail a whole range of activities targeted at the whole family), bush craft, forest school, den building, and running groups. These are just some of the many activities we have to offer, and our programme gets bigger, with more new activities added regularly.