ParkPlay coming to Trafford for a jolly good time
ParkPlay is coming to Trafford this spring – and it’s going to be an absolute blast!
ParkPlay, which organises free, casual games and activities every Saturday morning, has teamed up with Trafford Council to introduce two new ParkPlay locations in Trafford.
Sponsored by the Human Race group, the organisers of the popular adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half Marathon, ParkPlay will launch in Longford Park and Cross Lane Park this Spring to encourage everyone to get more active outdoors and bring communities closer together.
ParkPlay brings together people from local communities in parks and green spaces across the country for two hours of free, informal games and activities every Saturday morning. It provides people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play together and connect in a relaxed, safe, and welcoming environment. ParkPlay is run by the local community, for the local community. The ParkPlay team provides the necessary setup, support, training, and infrastructure, and everyone is invited to join in.
Andrew Smith, CEO of Human Race, said: “We are thrilled to fund this amazing and enjoyable initiative thanks to the adidas Manchester Marathon – where £1 from every entry goes into the Trafford Active Fund, which supports community-based projects. ParkPlay’s values of community, physical activity, and fun are ones that we fully support, and we are excited to witness the project’s growth.”
Cllr Catherine Hynes, Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture, and Heritage, commented: “Trafford Council is committed to reducing health inequalities in our communities and promoting health and wellbeing, so we are delighted to introduce the ParkPlay scheme in the borough. These schemes will bring families and individuals together to enjoy the great outdoors and become fitter and healthier. This initiative is a fantastic way to engage the community, and I eagerly await its launch in the spring.”
Over the past two years, with the support of Sport England, ParkPlay has successfully launched 55 ParkPlays from Cornwall to Cumbria, with over 10,000 registered participants.
“After a stressful and busy week, many people find joy in playing around and spending time with friends and neighbours at ParkPlay,” says CEO Rick Jenner. “We foster connections and build a sense of community. ParkPlay addresses some of the most pressing social issues of our time – lack of exercise, isolation, mental health, and the need for escape. As we recover from the effects of Covid and face the current cost of living crisis, it has never been more important to provide communities with free opportunities to connect and enhance their wellbeing.”
ParkPlay is playing a crucial role in supporting people’s health and happiness, particularly those who have been most affected in recent years. Recent research by ParkPlay reveals that 81% of ParkPlayers agree that ParkPlay has improved their mental wellbeing, and 74% say that the amount of physical activity they do as a family has increased.
Do you want to get involved and become a PlayLeader? ParkPlay has expanded to nine regions so far, including Somerset, Hertfordshire, Essex, West London, Cornwall, Leeds, County Durham, Cumbria, and Leicestershire and Rutland. Ongoing support from partners will help ParkPlay continue to grow and evolve throughout 2024, positively impacting communities nationwide. ParkPlay’s vision is to transform lives and strengthen thousands of communities with millions of ParkPlayers across the UK.
Visit the ParkPlay website to find your nearest ParkPlay or to contribute to its growth. #community #MeetMovePlay
