Hadley open space transformed to create a Health Park
A state of the art outdoor gym has been installed in Hadley.
This is believed to be the first of its type in the country to encourage outdoor gym use in a public open space to both adults and children. Outdoor gyms are usually just aimed at young people and adults.
The new free to use outdoor gym contains two separate areas opposite each other, one for adults and young people and a separate fenced outdoor gym for children under 1.4m high.
Local children and their parents and carers can now both take part in healthy exercise together with both encouraging and motivating each other to keep fit and healthy.
Children taken to the facility can then emulate their elders with the aim of establishing a lifelong commitment to keeping fit and healthy.
It is hoped that the long term overall outcome would be to assist to reduce stress, improve the immune system reduce heart disease, depression asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions within the local community.
The design of the gym was chosen by the local community in community consultation exercises carried out by apT, Telford & Wrekin Council and Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council and was funded by S106 contributions at no cost to the council.
Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council is funding ongoing maintenance.
Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Parks, Green Spaces and the Natural Environment, said “The gym facility has transformed an underused open space into a well-used healthy park.
“This provides opportunities to exercise and for quiet contemplation to support mental health and has become a park with a purpose.”
Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council chairman said “The new gym has increased awareness of the park to the local community and has already become a popular community venue which the community value.
“The park is now used as a community meeting point to meet old friends and new, and exercise together.
“Being in the outside this Healthy Park aims to connect people to nature where they may unwind in the park and exercise for free to maximise the free health benefits on their doorstep and positively impact upon the community.”
Caption: Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for Parks, Green Spaces and the Natural Environment, and Hadley ward member Councillor Gemma Offland enjoy the outdoor gym together.
