Related News
-
Bieber fever to sweep the UK in 2013 - including Liverpool date - 02/07/12 -
Alberto Aquilani denied Liverpool FC exit by lack of interest - 20/06/12 -
Jodie Marsh snogs TOWIE star and tweets the saucy snaps - 05/07/12 -
Britney Spears tweets her bikini body one more time! - 06/07/12 -
1.jpg)
Fellaini launches Chinese Football Dream for Everton FC - 27/06/12
Parks in Liverpool are set to see the return of boating on their lakes for the first time in decades.
A fleet of 12 four-seater pedalos will be available for hire at the lakes at Sefton and Stanley Parks during the school holidays and at weekends.
The move is a joint initiative between the City Council, Liverpool Watersports Centre run by the charity Local Solutions, Glendale-Liverpool and Liverpool PCT.
Councillor Peter Mitchell, the council's parks and open space champion, said: “The last time we had boats on our parks lakes was in the mid-1970s and many people have very fond memories of them.
"In those days we had rowing boats but times have moved on and people are probably more used to pedaloes these days.
“The Mayor, Joe Anderson, has made it one of his priorities to bring more life and animation into our parks and the pedaloes are part of this drive.
"We have restored the lakes at Sefton and Stanley Parks and we want to make sure that they are used by as many people as possible.
“The nation has been gripped by the success of our Olympic rowers and while we don’t expect people to be peddling as fast as them it might encourage people to get out on to their local lake – although in a much more leisurely fashion!”
Local Solutions Chief Executive, Steve Hawkins said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project to animate the park lakes, Local Solutions has been operating watersports in Liverpool since 1979 and our focus has always been engagement.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to extend our reach into communities offering leisure and healthy activities”
Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool PCT, said: “This initiative supports the decade of health and well-being by being a fun way of getting some exercise.”
The pedaloes will be launched by the Mayor at Sefton Park on Tuesday 7 August.
As well as the pedaloes there are other new ways of getting about the parks.
A bicycle hire scheme run by Wheels for All, aimed at people with a physical or learning difficulty and are unable to use conventional bikes, is now in operation at Sefton, Walton Hall and Wavertree Sports parks.
And a new land train will soon be in operation at Sefton Park.
Cllr Mitchell added: “These are all ways in which people can take a fresh look at our parks.
“We have some of the best green spaces in the country and we want as many people to enjoy them as possible – whether peddling on the lakes, peddling along the paths, taking a train ride or just walking.
"They are there for everybody – and you will find something to interest you in any of our great parks.”
