An innovative new scheme, that hails from Switzerland, is set to be trialled in two locations in a seaside town.
People visiting Normanston Park and the South Beach in Lowestoft will soon be able to use free sports equipment, which is being made available through a new locker scheme.
Developed by Swiss-based company, BoxUp, East Suffolk Council is set to pioneer the new initiative - in what is a first to be run by a local authority in the UK.
Delivered by the Lowestoft and Northern Parishes Community Partnership, the BoxUp project launches the first weekend of June.
Solar-powered storage lockers, containing numerous different sports and leisure equipment, will be provided at Normanston Park - by kind permission of Lowestoft Town Council - and at Lowestoft’s South Beach, next to Sandy Toes café.
With the sports equipment inside the boxes free to use, it can be accessed using the BoxUp app - with a smartphone and access to the internet required.
Simply download the free BoxUp app, select the activity you wish to play and open the locker from the app, before returning the equipment to the locker and marking the activity as finished on the app.
Cllr Paul Ashdown, chairman of the Lowestoft and Northern Parishes Community Partnership, said: “The BoxUp scheme is a fantastic and innovative new way to encourage people of all ages to keep active and try new sports.
"The equipment is completely free to use, and we hope people of all ages visiting Normanston Park and the South Beach will enjoy having easy access to a range of sports and leisure equipment."
'Vision' brought to life
East Suffolk's ward councillor for Gunton and St Margarets, George King, said: "The BoxUp project was inspired by a trip to Switzerland last year, where I noticed many of the public parks had access to free sports equipment, including basketballs, volleyballs and tennis racquets.
"I thought this was a simple yet brilliant concept and knew how hugely beneficial a project like this would be to Lowestoft, with its fantastic parks and beautiful beach front.
"I took the idea to the Community Partnership who shared my vision, and thanks to their help - with a special shout out to the brilliant Rachel Tucker from the Communities Team who has spent countless hours getting this over the line - we have now implemented the scheme in Lowestoft.
"I'm really proud to be a part of bringing this vision to life and excited to see the positive impact it has on our community."
The scheme is being trialled for one year and if successful, the lockers and equipment will be purchased and installed permanently, with other boxes installed at other locations if required.
A launch event for the BoxUp scheme takes place at Normanston Park on Saturday, June 1 from 11am to 2pm, with activities for children aged eight upwards, provided by Catch22 Positive Futures, and a climbing wall provided by Abbey Croft Leisure.
Activities will include tag rugby, cricket, football and more.
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