Active Wirral are creating a new Vale Park parkrun and we are looking for volunteers to act as the core team
Parkruns take place at 9am every Saturday morning at 927 locations around the world. They are free of charge and open to everyone, whether they choose to run, jog or walk. The events cover 5km, while junior parkruns (for children aged 4-14) are 2km.
Vale Park in New Brighton is set to become the latest location to host a parkrun in Wirral.
Birkenhead parkrun, held in Birkenhead Park, is currently the only 5km parkrun in Wirral, while a junior parkrun takes place every Sunday at 9am in Wirral Country Park.
Wirral Council’s Active Wellbeing team is finalising establishing a parkrun at Vale Park. Set on the banks of the River Mersey, it boasts stunning views across to Liverpool and holds prestigious Green Flag status.
Funding has been secured and the route – which will see participants travel through Vale Park and along New Brighton Promenade – has been mapped out.
To make the event a reality, volunteers are needed between 8.30am-10.30am every Saturday. To help organise and run the event, a core team is required.
Parkrun volunteers play a vital role in ensuring events take place safely and smoothly. No experience is needed and you do not need to have attended a parkrun before.
Volunteering offers an opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, enjoy time outdoors and support people taking part. More than 40,000 people volunteer at parkrun events around the world each week.
Councillor Jenny Johnson, Chair of Wirral Council’s Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee, said: “Parkruns are hugely popular events, as we see at Birkenhead Park and Wirral Country Park.
“I’m sure a parkrun in Vale Park would prove just as popular, giving residents and visitors the chance to be active in a fantastic location with stunning views across the River Mersey.
“A parkrun in Vale Park has been discussed for a while and now we have almost everything in place to get the event underway.
“Volunteers are at the heart of every parkrun. They help create welcoming community events that bring people together, encourage healthier lifestyles and support people of all ages and abilities to get active.”
Fiona Hanik, Health Development Officer for Active Wirral, said: “We are really excited to be setting up a new parkrun event in Vale Park.
“So far, there has been an excellent response from residents wishing to volunteer, which is fantastic news, but the more the merrier.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can register their interest by emailing fionahanik@wirral.gov.uk.
