Help Us Shape Margate’s First Outdoor Community Gym!
We’re buzzing with excitement at The Oval Bandstand & Lawns! We’re launching a new project to bring Cliftonville its first outdoor community gym, and we need your input to make it happen. This isn’t just another project—it’s part of our wider vision for a Wellness Garden, a space dedicated to health, relaxation, and bringing the community together.
The gym will be free-to-use and open to everyone, but we want to hear from you first. What kind of equipment would you love? How can we make this space truly work for Cliftonville? Your ideas will help us get it right.
A Community Gym That’s Truly About Community
If you know us at The Oval, you’ll know we’re all about community. As a not-for-profit run by GRASS Cliftonville CIC, every penny we raise goes straight back into improving this beautiful space. Since 2021, we’ve hosted over 100 events, from the Cliftonville Dog Show to the Cliftonville Games, seasonal fairs, and weekly concerts. It’s all about keeping things fun, accessible, and affordable for everyone.
The Wellness Garden, which was recently approved by councillors (yay!), will offer a peaceful place for relaxation, gardening, socialising—and now, fitness too! Inspired by feedback from our community surveys, this garden is shaping up to be a true oasis. Think areas for growing plants, gathering with friends, and working out in the fresh air.
More Than Just a Gym
This outdoor gym is just one piece of the puzzle. Here at The Oval, we’re big on ecology and wellbeing. Our Nature Recovery Plan is in full swing, adding wildflower meadows, wildlife corridors, and native hedgerows to make the space as green and biodiverse as it is welcoming. And let’s not forget the upcoming Ecology Hub with potting benches, raised beds, and a greenhouse—perfect for community gardening and ecological workshops.
On the wellbeing front, we’ve already got an incredible lineup of classes happening: yoga, pilates, kettlebell training, boxing for all ages, and even Meno-Fit. The outdoor gym will take this to the next level, giving everyone a free, safe, and welcoming space to work on their fitness—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.
How You Can Help
We want the outdoor gym to be everything you want it to be. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, someone looking to start exercising, or just curious about what’s happening, we’d love your thoughts. Take our quick survey and let us know what matters to you. Together, we’ll create something truly special for Cliftonville.
Take the survey now at www.theovalbandstand.co.uk/community-gym-survey
We can’t wait to hear from you!
