Fancy joining in a free game of dodgeball, quick cricket or frisbee? Or tempted by the idea of a scavenger hunt or just having some family fun in a park? Well, ParkPlay might be for you.
ParkPlay is a new, Sport England-backed charity offering free activities for people of all ages. It is running every Saturday at four parks in the borough.
Everyone, children and adults alike, is welcome at the sessions being held in Gunnersbury, Blondin, Spikes Bridge and Southall parks. It gives local people the opportunity to be active with others in a fun, informal and safe environment.
You can arrive from 9.30am for a 10am start (just register on the ParkPlay website first). There is no special kit or experience required. It is all about turning up, joining in, cheering each other on and bringing your friends along next time.
These local ParkPlay sessions have been set up with support from London Tigers, Gunnersbury Park CIC, Let’s Go Southall and Ealing Council.
‘People can play at their own pace’
Rick Jenner, ParkPlay CEO, said: “It’s never been more important to lead an active life but a great many people aren’t interested in traditional clubs and teams, are turned off by organised sports and don’t want to join a gym, but do enjoy playing and having fun with friends and family – that’s where we come in. Every Saturday morning we welcome people from all walks of life, shapes and sizes, ages and levels of experience, and we just play. Everything from frisbee to dodgeball, scavenger hunts and kwik cricket goes on and it means people can play at their own pace, which really is what matters to get people ‘exercising’ when really it’s just playing.”
‘It’s free. It’s outside. It’s ace.’
Chris Bunting, the council’s assistant director for leisure, said: “Ealing Council is delighted to be partnering with ParkPlay to provide opportunities for families and communities to be active together and play together, across all ages and backgrounds. We believe that the key to their success is that the sessions are delivered by the community for the community; engaging through local people and groups, employing local teams, supported by local volunteers, designed for local needs. We encourage you to get involved today. It’s free. It’s outside. It’s ace.”
Register to join in
You do not need to book on to a session, just register everyone once on the ParkPlay website and turn up to one of the four parks on a Saturday morning.
