Outdoor Gym Brings The Community Together at Hadley Park | Telford

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Outdoor Gym Installation at Hadley Park, Telford

Transforming Open Spaces with Community-Led Design

At Hadley Park in Telford, Sunshine Gym delivered a pioneering outdoor fitness project that allows both children and adults to exercise side by side. Working in partnership with residents, parish councillors, the local authority, and outdoor play consultants, Sunshine Gym helped to transform an underused green space into a thriving community gym in Telford. This project is a strong example of community health park design in practice.

This innovative project, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, created a mirrored layout where children’s and adults’ equipment face one another. The design encourages family-friendly workouts, promotes intergenerational activity, and establishes Hadley Park as one of the most inclusive fitness spaces in Telford.

Outdoor Gyms for All Ages

Unlike traditional facilities such as commercial gyms in Stafford Park or Fitness First in Telford, this outdoor gym was specifically designed to bring together people of different age groups in an accessible, open-air setting.

Children’s Gym Area: Securely fenced and monitored, the children’s section includes multi-gym fitness equipment alongside playground markings for outdoor gym games and activities. This ensures youngsters are safely supervised while engaging in exercise.
Adults’ Gym Area: Facing the children’s equipment, the adults’ section offers a mix of cardio and strength machines, creating a balanced fitness experience in the heart of the park.

The mirrored concept encourages interaction, while the dual layout means each generation can work out independently but within sight of one another.

Equipment Installed at Hadley Park

Sunshine Gym supplied and installed a diverse mix of outdoor gym machines to ensure wide appeal and varied workout opportunities.

Cardio Equipment: Rower, Double Health Walker, Double Slalom Skier, and Sky Stepper for low-impact, full-body cardiovascular training.
Strength Training Equipment: Parallel Rails, Double Squat Push, and the Combi Pull Down Challenger with Power Push to target major muscle groups.
Accessible Options: An Arm and Pedal Bike designed for wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges ensures that inclusivity remains central to the design.
Children’s Fitness Facilities: Adapted equipment and marked sprint tracks provide opportunities for active play and fun fitness routines.

In addition to the equipment, Sunshine Gym installed bespoke seating, signage, and a sprint track to add further functionality to the health park.

A Community Resource in Telford

The project was supported by Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, which conducted public consultations to gather input from local residents. This collaborative process ensured the final design reflected the needs and aspirations of the community.

The new outdoor gym has quickly become a local landmark. Councillors and residents report that Hadley Park is now a hub where people meet friends, enjoy nature, and take advantage of free exercise opportunities. By providing accessible fitness equipment, the park encourages healthier lifestyles and promotes wellbeing across all age groups.

Mental Health, Physical Health, and Social Value

Unlike indoor fitness centres or private gyms near Gloucester Quays or Stafford Park, the Hadley Park facility provides more than just physical activity. It also supports mental wellbeing by offering:

A welcoming green space for relaxation and exercise.
Opportunities for social interaction and community engagement.
Free access to equipment, breaking down financial barriers to health.

Councillors highlighted how the gym has “transformed an underused space into a health park with a purpose,” offering both exercise opportunities and quiet areas for contemplation.

A £40,000 Investment in Public Health

The near-£40,000 project demonstrates the value of investing in high-quality, durable outdoor gym solutions. With professional installation, long-lasting equipment, and a design that prioritises safety and accessibility, Hadley Park now represents one of the best gyms in Telford for free-to-use community exercise.

Why Public Sector Organisations Choose Sunshine Gym

From councils to parish groups, Sunshine Gym is trusted to deliver bespoke outdoor fitness solutions that go beyond conventional gym facilities. The Hadley Park installation showcases how tailored outdoor gyms and community health park design can:

Maximise usage of open spaces.
Provide inclusive facilities for children, adults, and people with additional needs.
Deliver long-term value for money through durable, low-maintenance equipment.
Encourage healthier, more connected communities.

Councillor Derek White, chairman of the health scrutiny committee at Telford and Wrekin Council, said: “The community decided they wanted something that was a bit different, something that was healthy and that the community could engage with. “They thought it was important to provide for adults and young people, but also for children as well.”
The park is being maintained by Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, which held public consultations over the park design with development consultancy apT, part of Telford and Wrekin Council.

Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council chairman Malcolm Smith said: “The new gym has increased awareness of the park to the local community and has already become a popular community venue which the community value. “The park is now used as a community meeting point to meet old friends and new, and exercise together. “Being in the outside this healthy park aims to connect people to nature where they may unwind in the park and exercise for free to maximise the free health benefits on their doorstep and positively impact upon the community.”

Bespoke seating and signage, designed, built and installed by Sunshine Gym, completed the near-£40,000 health park project. Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford and Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for parks, green spaces and the natural environment, said: “The gym facility has transformed an underused open space into a well-used healthy park. “This provides opportunities to exercise and for quiet contemplation to support mental health and has become a park with a purpose.”

Build Your Own Outdoor Fitness Project

For councils, schools, or community groups looking to replicate the success of Hadley Park, Sunshine Gym provides expert consultation, equipment packages, and bespoke solutions. Whether your goal is to create a family-friendly facility, enhance public green spaces, or promote outdoor activity, we can help.

Contact our team today to discover how Sunshine Gym can transform your local park into a thriving outdoor fitness destination.

A fence also surrounds the children’s area so that it is safely enclosed. Playground markings mean youngsters can take part in additional games and activities as well as make use of the multi gym fitness equipment.
On the opposite side, equipment for adults and young people include a rower, double health walker and double slalom skier alongside a sky stepper to get the heart pumping with cardiovascular routines.
Parallel rails, double squat push and Sunshine Gym’s combi pull down challenger and power push offer a strength workout, coupled with an accessible arm and pedal bike suitable for wheelchair users and those who may have difficulties with mobility.
In between the sections, a sprint track was marked out.