Quadron employs a Horticultural Development Manager in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames who works closely with local Neighbourhood Managers, Ward Councillors, the Council's Sports Development Team and local action groups to gain funding for improvements and to establish what facilities local people would like to see improved.
Quadron was approached by Kingston Town Neighbourhood regarding ideas for improvements for the central town park. Speaking to local stakeholders including Hogsmill Action Group (Local Management Advisory Group), Kingston University, RBK Sports Development Team and the Local Primary Care Trust, and carrying out some door to door research in the local area, it was agreed that equipment which could be used by a broad cross section of the community, young and old alike, and encourage exercise and active use of the local parks and open spaces would be popular with the local community and increase usage of the park.
The group looked at a number of options including adventure trails, trim trails and fit points but in the end agreed on an outdoor gym including a wide range of cardio vascular equipment. Because this type of equipment is new on the market it was critical to ensure that appropriate British Standards are complied with. Working with specialist contractors and the Primary Care Trust we came up with appropriate on-site signage for each item of equipment to encourage correct use of these facilities. We are currently working with the Primary Care Trust to produce leaflets that can be distributed to Doctors' Surgeries in Kingston as part of an outpatient GP referral scheme.
Plan of the Outdoor Gym
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