Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales will be unveiling a programme of fun, free activities in Newham’s parks this summer in partnership with Coca-Cola Great Britain on Thursday.
They will mark the start of the summer holiday programme of Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives sessions in the borough in Stratford Park .
The programme is part of Coca-Cola’s commitment to invest £20m between now and 2020 to encourage and inspire local people to enjoy being active together.
Newham is the first London borough to be part of the initiative which also involves Birmingham and Newcastle.
The programme will offer people daily, timetabled activity sessions in ten parks across the borough. Stratford Park is just one of the parks in Newham to host the summer-long programme.
Residents will be able to take part in a programme of sports and leisure pursuits from bowls to football, tennis, salsa and Zumba. There is something to suit everyone whatever their age or ability.
Sir Robin Wales said: “This initiative provides a wonderful opportunity for our residents to take part in a range of differing sports and builds on our highly successful Every Child a Sportsperson programme.
“Newham’s Every Child a Sportsperson programme was launched last year to encourage and support our young children to try new sporting activities and our partnership with Coca Cola Great Britain will now help us to reach even more of our residents, helping them to live healthy and active lifestyles.”
Jon Woods, General Manager of Coca-Cola Great Britain, said: “It’s widely acknowledged that leading an active lifestyle is one of the most important things we can all do to increase our overall health and happiness – after all, the more you move, the happier you feel. We’re excited to be working alongside Newham Council to bring Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives to local residents. We know that cost is a barrier to participation so we hope that the free programme so we hope that the free programme of activities all summer long will inspire local people to get out with friends and family and enjoy their local parks, try out something new and have fun.”
The event runs from 9am-1pm on July 24 and the first 5,000 people to attend will also receive a free World Cup football.
The ten parks involved in the project are:
Canning Town Recreation Ground, Prince Regent Lane, Custom House
Central Park, High Street South, East Ham
Gooseley Playing Field, St Albans Avenue, East Ham
Little Ilford Park, Church Road, Manor Park
Memorial Recreation Ground, Memorial Avenue, West Ham
Newham Leisure Centre (outside space), Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow
Plashet Park, Plashet Grove, East Ham
Royal Victoria Gardens, Pier Road, Woolwich
Stratford Park, West Ham Lane, Stratford
West Ham Park, Upton Lane, Forest Gate
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here