Derelict pub becomes gym at Burgess Park

The gym, which cost over £75,000 to install and includes fitness and weight training equipment, is designed for use by all ages. 

The facility was paid for by the Aylesbury NDC, now the Creation Trust, and was unveiled by members of Creation and Southwark Council. The pub was a derelict pub that had not served the area for a number of years.

Currently Southwark Council is overseeing the revitalisation of the park, after it was awarded £6million in March 2009.  

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council said: "Gyms like these give everyone the opportunity to keep fit, and give local park users more of a sense of pride in their park. So what better way to keep in shape than in a healthy and inspiring environment like Burgess Park, which is on the verge of a once in a lifetime transformation." 

Charlotte Benstead, director of Creation Trust, said: "Looking after the health and well being of Aylesbury estate residents was a major part of work of the NDC and Creation want to carry on this theme. This is the second open access gym that has been funded and there is a full sports programme offered by our partner groups including estate based football & rugby training and coaching qualifications." 

Burgess Park redevelopment

Burgess Park was granted £2m by the Mayor of London in March 2009. It was selected by the Mayor to receive the largest grant under his 'Help a London Park ' programme. The Mayor's grant was matched with a further £4m of funding which was secured through an enhanced partnership between the council and the Aylesbury New Deal for Communities.  

The £6m revitalisation project is in addition to over £1.2m that's been invested in the Chumleigh Gardens open space, play area and cafe in the heart of the park.

The revitalisation will give visitors to the park a far more enjoyable experience, with better access to nature by creating a variety of different habitats; attractive horticultural planting; improvements to the lake; removing redundant roads and pathways and making those that remain more user friendly; creating improved entrances and better defined boundaries and above all giving the park a new striking identity.