Looking for an easy and friendly way to get active on a Saturday morning and get more involved in your community? Then come along to ParkPlay. It is free and open to everyone – no kit, no cost, just turn up and play.
ParkPlay has been offering fun outdoor activities in the borough for 5 years. The Sport England-backed charity provides free, weekly, community-led play sessions that brings people together to connect, be active and have fun in local parks.
Where can you take part?
You can discover ParkPlay in some of the borough’s parks and green spaces on a Saturday morning. The sessions are held in:
- Southall Park
- Jubilee Park, Southall
- The Green Quarter, Southall
There are lots of activities to get everyone moving, from dodgeball and treasure hunts to quick cricket and handball.
All you need to do is register on the ParkPlay website, turn up, and take part. You do not need any equipment or experience, and the activities are for all abilities and fitness levels.
Councillor Lauren Wall, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities said: ParkPlay provides a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect and have fun in our parks. It’s totally free, so, if you want to get active outdoors, make friends, or just like the idea of playing games, then the sessions are an ideal way to get healthy and be part of the community.”
Birthday bonanza
Gurpreet and Gurinder Kaur, who run the group in Southall Park, will be celebrating its 5th birthday with a party for the community in August. Look out for further updates about the event on the Around Ealing website.
Gurinder said: “We owe a lot to ParkPlay. It has given us a source to connect with the local community and we have so many friends now.”
Gurpreet added: “Around 50 people join us regularly, but we have had up to 80 people sometimes. It’s great for our health and wellbeing. Being active is such fun, it’s like making childhood alive again.”
Connecting communities
Rick Jenner, ParkPlay’s chief executive officer, said: “ParkPlay helps people realise their potential in a fun, informal, relaxed way and, together, we can build happier, healthier communities.
“Volunteers like Gurpreet and Gurinder know their communities well and we’re happy to welcome anyone who wants to volunteer. It’s great to hear the personal stories from people taking part, who tell us they’re having fun and feeling better about themselves and where they live.”
Get involved
To join in the games, or to find out more about becoming a volunteer, go to the ParkPlay website.
