Improving the Health and Well-being of Hailsham’s Community

The Hailsham Town Council has recently made a decision to actively improve the health and fitness of the community. This decision is part of the ‘Health Parks’ project, which aims to enhance parks and open spaces in the area to maximize the health and well-being benefits for residents.

A recent report from the Health Parks project has revealed the current facilities available at three key sites in Hailsham: the Western Road Recreation Ground, Maurice Thornton Playing Field, and Hailsham Country Park. The report has also highlighted potential features that could be added to these spaces, along with strategies for promoting activities and events to encourage community participation in health and fitness initiatives.

Proposed projects include replacing outdoor gym equipment at the Western Road Recreation Ground, adding new pathways, shaded seating areas, and a zip wire facility at Maurice Thornton Playing Field, and developing parking, seating, picnic areas, and fitness trails at Hailsham Country Park. These efforts aim to create more opportunities for physical activity and leisure within the community.

To support these plans, the Town Council will install informational signage at each of the three sites and is developing a dedicated web page providing comprehensive information about leisure facilities in the town. This initiative aims to improve public awareness of available sports and fitness resources, encouraging residents to make use of these amenities for their well-being.

According to Town Clerk John Harrison, participating in the Health Parks project is a deliberate move to improve the community’s access to green spaces and maximize their benefits in terms of health, fitness, and overall well-being. The Town Council’s focus on asset development aims to serve the local population and improve their quality of life.

Harrison further explained that the project aims to evaluate the features and facilities in green areas to assess their potential health benefits to the community. This assessment includes an analysis of physical amenities and activities within these spaces, with the goal of making these opportunities more accessible and known to the public.

The installation of information signs at the Western Road Recreation Ground marks the beginning of a broader plan to introduce more signage at other Town Council-maintained parks and open spaces in the coming year, including the Maurice Thornton Playing Field and Hailsham Country Park. Additional sites such as the Common Pond, allotment areas, children’s play zones, Orchard Park, and Hailsham Cemetery are also earmarked for the placement of informative signage.

As the Hailsham Town Council takes proactive steps to promote health and fitness within the community, it is evident that the well-being of residents is at the forefront of their plans. By leveraging the opportunities presented by green spaces and public facilities, the council aims to create a healthier and more active community for the benefit of all.