Love Parks Week may be coming to an end, but as the summer holidays begin, there is plenty to do in the city’s parks.
Whether it is taking some time out in one of the many picturesque, relaxing spaces or getting involved in something more active, there is a choice of free activities and events happening at a park near you.
1. Get fit in the fresh air
Outdoor gyms are a great free way to be active and keep healthy. They can be found in many of the city’s parks, including East Park, Bude Park, West Park and Pickering Park and come with the added bonus of fresh air and great views.
Outdoor gym at East Park
2. Spot the animals
From ducks and swans to squirrels and butterflies, there is lots of wildlife to spot around Hull’s parks. There’s also an aviary and Animal Education Centre at East Park, where you can get close to domestic, farm and exotic animals and learn more about them and their habitats. Throughout the summer, there is a packed diary of animal-themed events happening at the centre, from building your own bug hotel to learning about the Magnificent Macaws.
Peacocks in East Park.
3. Lace up your running shoes
Take part in a Parkrun at East Park or Peter Pan Park every Saturday morning at 9am. Run, jog, skip or walk your way around the 5k course. For those aged four to 14, there’s a Junior Parkrun at Alderman Kneeshaw and Peter Pan parks at 9am on Sunday mornings over a 2k course. Find out more or register here.
4. Try adapted cycles
East Park is home to the region’s only Adapted Cycle Scheme and one of the largest schemes in the UK, where disabled people can use specially adapted bikes to enjoy cycling in a relaxing outdoor environment. The scheme has a wide variety of adapted bikes for use by disabled people and their families and carers and is open to people of all ages.
The West Park splash pool play area.
5. Find playgrounds and paddling pools
There are 75 playgrounds across the city. When the weather is warm, there are paddling pools at Alderman Kneeshaw Park, Bude Park, Oak Road Playing Fields, Pickering Park, West Park and Ings Road Park for splash play and keeping cool. Children will also love the Land Train, swan boats, splash boat and library at the largest park in the city, East Park.
6. Roll on down to a skate park
Skateboarders, roller skaters, inline skaters and BMX riders can develop their technique at one of the city’s purpose-built skate parks. Hull has one of the largest numbers of skate parks in the country and skateboarding has become a major attraction for local and national competitions and festivals held across the city’s skate parks.
West Park skate park.
7. Enjoy bowls and tennis
Four of the city’s parks have bowling greens, while Costello Stadium offers tennis for free sessions on Saturday mornings at 10am. Tennis for free is coach led and all equipment is provided. Find out more or register here.
8. Get crafty across summer
Throughout July and August there’s a variety of activity sessions to get involved in, including the popular Beach Day at King George Playing Fields on Friday 26 July. A list of events in local parks is available here.
