Popular Exeter park set to get community hub

Park users in Heavitree will soon be able to grab a coffee and a cake while on the go, thanks to a grant from Exeter City Council.

Community charity Park Life Heavitree is building a café and community facility in Heavitree Pleasure Ground.

The café will offer affordable, locally-sourced food and drink and the building will include toilets and a community space that will be able to be hired by local groups.

Work is expected to start in late spring with the building finished by the end of the year.

The exciting facility is being made possible partly due to a £70,000 grant from the City Council’s Strategic Fund.

Ben Hunt, Trustee of Park Life Heavitree, said the facilities would be available to use not just by park users but everyone in the area.

“The grant is really essential in helping to fit out the café and hireable hall space – things like the furniture and kitchen equipment - but also to make sure it is well landscaped on the outside,” he added.

Cllr Amal Ghusain, Lead Councillor for Equalities, Diversity and Communities, said: “It’s great to see this project moving forward and I am convinced the facilities will be a great asset not just for the local community but for the people of Exeter.” 

Park Life Heavitree aims to build community in and around Heavitree Pleasure Ground. It is seeking to get people more active and reduce social isolation as well as getting people involved in their local park.

This year almost £1m will be allocated to support community groups and organisations working on projects that help make Exeter such a great place to live.

The Exeter Grants Programme aims to support those using their passion, skills, experience and knowledge to make a difference in their community.

For further information about grants go to the City Council website at https://exeter.gov.uk/people-and-communities/grants/exeter-grants-progra...