Croydon Council has opened a new outdoor gym and dog exercise area in Addiscombe Recreation Ground as part of its parks improvement programme.

The outdoor gym has been designed in collaboration with local exercise group Croydon Calisthenics who joined Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon for the official launch.

Local people have also been involved in the design and choice of gym equipment following feedback sessions held last year.

Four more parks – South Norwood Lakes, Upper Norwood Recreation Ground, Higher Drive Recreation Ground and Selsdon Recreation Ground – will also be getting new outdoor gyms this year.

Outdoor gyms are free to use, fully accessible, and form part of the Mayor’s commitment to making Croydon cleaner, safer, and healthier.

Whilst at the park, Mayor Perry met with residents and their four-legged friends to open Croydon’s first dog exercise area. The space provides a secure enclosure where dogs can be safely let off their lead. The new area was created in direct response to residents’ feedback calling for designated dog-friendly zones in local parks.

This is the first of four dog exercise areas set to open across Croydon. Additional sites are planned for Thornton Heath Recreation Ground, Brickfield Meadows, and South Norwood Country Park are set to open soon. A further two locations will be introduced later this year once sites have been secured.

The funding for the outdoor gyms and dog park came from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which is awarded to councils from central government. Croydon has received £1.4m in total and Mayor Perry has allocated this to projects across the borough that will boost training and skills, provide business support and revive community spaces.

These new facilities build on Croydon’s significant investment in parks and green spaces. Over the past two years, the Council has delivered ten new playgrounds, with three more set to open in the coming months.

“It was great to open the new outdoor gym and to see Croydon Calisthenics in action, as well as opening our first dog exercise area in Addiscombe Rec.

“This is all part of our investment in our parks to make them more inviting for residents across the borough to use.

“With more gyms, dog parks and playgrounds on the way, we are listening and delivering what our residents want.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon