Hull in print : Feature - Your Council working with you to create a healthier environment

More people can now enjoy the attractions of East Park.
That’s because there are now four motorised scooters and four manual wheelchairs which can be used by the general public who have mobility problems.
So whether it’s a bad knee or a broken leg, asthma or angina, or any other ailment that makes it difficult to get around – you can still enjoy the park in all its glory.
“The scooters and wheelchairs mean people can spend more time in the park because they’re not getting tired out as quickly,” says park manager Mairtin Coss.
“It also means people who have mobility problems for whatever reason can get much further away from the car park and see attractions which were previously inaccessible.”

Family fun

Meanwhile, people have been visiting East Park for a free day out during the economic downturn.
“For some families it’s a better option than spending money on fuel to get to the seaside,” adds Mairtin.
“People make the most of the things here for children and enjoy the greenery.
In many ways it’s more than just a park – it’s a leisure destination in its own right.” One of the newest attractions is the waterplay feature (pictured above), a mock natural stream several hundred metres long, with boulders, fountains and pools where kids can splash about and cool down.
There is also:

a pavilion with a café, community room and public toilets
push-button help points so visitors can talk to an urban park ranger for assistance
a large walk-through aviary (also accessible using the scooters and wheelchairs) to enable visitors to see the park’s resident animals and birds up close
the animal education centre, with pigs, goats, sheep, spiders and snakes.
It has been built with classroom facilities to cater for school and college students
an enclosed deer park, created to ensure the best living conditions for the park’s deer
beautiful floral and shrub displays in the valley gardens and the star gardens.
the park’s maze and ‘khyber pass’ rock feature, which have recently been given a makeover
a youth zone, including a skate park, basketball court and climbing boulder
boat hire, bowling greens and a model yacht pond
and of course the old favourite… the Victorian grade II listed splash boat, which is still getting people soaking wet after all these years

Go to Hull parks!

Love Parks Week takes place between 25 July and 2 August.
Organisers of the national campaign are asking as many people as possible to visit parks in order to celebrate their essential role in every community.
Hull has 136 parks, playing fields and playgrounds – beautiful, relaxing spaces hosting a range of activities and events.

info

For more information visit www.hullcc.gov.uk and click on leisure and culture.
To use the mobility equipment, which has been introduced through a scheme called Parkmobility, please pre-register by calling East Park on 300300 or email eastpark@hullcc.gov.uk for registration details.
Once registered, visitors can telephone and book the equipment for their visit, and have total freedom of the park.


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