Parks for Life
The 2011 Parks for Life summer programme brought dance, music, sports and wellbeing activities to Parks and Open Spaces throughout the borough.
The 2012 programme is going to be even bigger with more opportunities to get involved in one of your local parks. The activity programme is currently being finalised and will be posted on this page in June. However, make sure you are in Clissold Park on 21 July as the Olympic Torch arrives in Hackney at the One Hackney Festival. The event will be full of opportunities to try new things and celebrate the arrival of the Olympics in Hackney.
Read on to hear about the highlights of 2011's Parks for Life programme.
Over 800 people took part in 120+ health and fitness activities including kick aerobics, yoga, chess club and cricket between June and September as part of the Parks for Life programme, all activities and events were free to attend and delivered by professional coaches and trainers.
On Sunday 24 July Haggerston Park came to life with an activity festival which celebrated one year to go until the 2012 games.
To see photos of Hackney residents enjoying the day visit our Flickr slideshow.
Interested in getting more active?
There are facilities you can use in your local park to help you get fit, healthy and more active. See your local parks webpage to find out what your park has to offer. Here are just a few examples of what's available -
- table tennis
- cricket pitches
- running tracks
- basketball
- chess tables
To find out about organised activities and events see What's on in Hackney Parks
Walking in parks
Hackney has an astonishing amount of green space ready to be explored through our six guided walking routes. In addition, the Capital Ring and Olympic greenway run through a number of parks. For more information see Walking in Hackney Parks.
Sports facilities
We have a diverse range of sports facilities in parks; everything from tennis courts and rugby pitches to ping pong tables. Some need to be booked, whilst others can be used for free at any time. For more information see Sports pitches and courts.
Jogging tracks, trim trails and outdoor gyms
Our parks are wonderful locations for jogging. Why not add some variety to your run by using our outdoor gym and trim trail equipment as well -
- Clissold Park - recognised running route around its perimeter
- Hackney Marshes -Trim Trail
- Hackney Downs - Trim Trail
- Haggerston Park - Trim Trail
- Millfields Park - Trim Trail
- Mabley Green - Outdoor Gym
- Springfield Park- Trim Trail
- Well Street Common - Trim Trail
Volunteering
Want to do more for the community in parks and green spaces in your area? Need motivation to do exercise? Find out how you can benefit in both endeavours by becoming a volunteer for the parks in Hackney and being involved in many of our exciting and future projects. To find out more information in how you or your company can become involved see the parks Volunteering page.
Cycling in parks
We encourage park users to responsibly cycle in between and through some of our parks, and provide bike racks in most green spaces. See Cycling in Hackney Parks for more information.
Find out more
To find out more about Parks for Life, please email parksforlife@hackney.gov.uk or telephone 020 8356 6597.
If you would like further information on leading a healthy lifestyle, or where you can access local activities, visit www.wellchance.org/.
Page updated: 10 May 2012
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