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About us

Who are we?

Park Life Heavitree is a community group that aims to bring together people in and around Heavitree Pleasure Ground in Exeter. Our charitable objects focus on – reducing social isolation, improving mental and physical wellbeing and getting people out and active. Our theory of change seeks to build stronger more active communities in and around Heavitree Pleasure Ground.

For the past 13 years, Park Life have been running monthly events in the park with the aim of bringing people together and having fun in our community.  We have also supported the community through a share a meal scheme, funded through Sport England, the couch to 5K running clubs and summer volleyball sessions, provided free cooking lessons to our local schools and elderly and several other projects. Since 2010 these projects, events and more importantly the community have led us to dream and pursue the idea of a permanent café and hub in the park.

Many local and some not so local people combined their efforts, skills and expertise to make this dream a reality. These included a fund-raising team and a large building team as well as our usual events coordinators, cake bakers and brilliant volunteers.

Our facility was finally opened in October 2021. It provides a hireable space (The Hub) and a community cafe. The community café provides a safe and warm space as well as quality food and drink. The Hub now hosts a range of charity and community activities,  music, sports groups and private parties. Any income generated  goes back into Park Life activities and the park itself. We have the full support of Exeter City Council who are the land owner.  Please use the links above to find out more about who we are, what we do and what events are coming up next – we’d love to see you there!

SEE WHAT'S ON

The idea of a cafe and community building in Heavitree Pleasure Ground was first raised by members of the community in 2010. The City Councillors were supportive and conversations started to spread, fuelled by the desire to build community, provide a quality hireable space for Heavitree and to enhance an amazing urban green space.

Over a decade later the cafe is now a reality and we opened in October 2021

People are concerned that society is becoming more fragmented. We now network and form community in a myriad of ways but busy individualised lives have led to an increase in social isolation, loneliness and depression, obviously not helped by the pandemic we are fighting.

By building a community hub in the park, Park Life aims to bring community together, supporting one another and helping to banish loneliness.

SUPPORT US

How to find us

The park is located in Heavitree, if driving by car from the city centre travel along Heavitree Road and onto Fore Street, turning left at Whipton Lane. The park can be reached by foot or bicycle from entrances at Whipton Lane, Roseland Avenue, South Lawn Terrace and Nicholas Avenue.

Latest news

New palm tree Cordyline Specimen

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Come and check out our new tree which our fabulous gardening volunteers planted recently!

Tea and Memory Cafe

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Monday 8th April 2-3pm free entry all welcome

Easter Egg Hunt

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Tuesday 2nd and Wednesay 3rd April 10am - 3pm- drop in to the PL office for quiz sheet- £1 per entry