Get fit with park's new gym equipment
A new range of outdoor gym equipment has been installed at Barford to help inspire residents to maintain healthy lifestyles.
The equipment, at King George’s Field, has cost £23,000 to install and has been funded by National Grid and the Warwick Rural West Community Forum.
The playing fields have become a fantastic sporting hub for the area since they were re-opened in May following the completion of a £500,000 project to transform the site.
A new children’s play area, a multi-use games area with two tennis courts and an all-weather court were constructed along with a new perimeter path, toilet facilities, picnic area, benches and a store.
Since the work was completed, the number of visitors to the site has rocketed and a range of sports clubs now regularly use the field.
The majority of the cost for the new outdoor gym equipment has been paid through National Grid’s ‘Bringing Energy to Life’ fund, which benefits charities and community groups.
Graham Frankland from National Grid, said: “It’s wonderful to see our grant used to such great effect in supporting the community here in Barford. This new outdoor gym equipment enhances the amazing facilities already in place and will truly help to increase the well-being of local people.
“We’re very proud to have played a part in enabling this park to be refurbished and to help many residents maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
So significant has been the transformation of King George’s Field that it has been nominated for this year’s UK’s Best Park award.
The award is run by the National Playing Fields Association and users of the playing field can vote for King George’s Field by visiting www.fieldsintrust.org/bestpark/westmidlands before the vote closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9 November.
John Murphy, chairman of Barford, Sherbourne and Wasperton Joint Parish Council, and a member of the working group set up to oversee the refurbishment of the fields, said: “I’m immensely grateful to the many local organisations which have invested in improving these facilities for people across Barford, Sherbourne and Wasperton.
“The grants provided by National Grid and Warwick Rural West Community Forum have enabled this outdoor gym equipment to be purchased and installed, and I know that this will further inspire many more residents to improve their fitness. The response from the public since re-opening the field has been fantastic with the facility proving to be far more popular than we ever imagined.”
The next addition to King George’s Field will be an outdoor natural play area with logs and tree trunks, ready for imaginative play for all ages.
More information on the playing field can be found at www.barfordplayingfields.org.