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Getting Limerick Active
Eight of Sport Ireland’s Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) are currently working with their respective Local Authorities to bring a new and innovative free equipment sharing solution to parks and communities across 5 cities in Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
The Active Cities project is focused on getting those who are least active in our society active.
In taking a multi-sectoral approach, the project is seeking to reduce the barriers to participation in physical activity, increase access and enhance the choice and opportunities available for all to take part. Introducing BoxUp to Ireland is a collaborative initiative being developed across the cities as part of this project and aims to expand the opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to lead healthier lifestyles through increased access to free sport and leisure equipment.
Over the past nine months, the 8 LSPs have been working with the Swiss-based company, BoxUp, to bring the first lockers to Ireland. There are currently over 60 lockers in operation across Switzerland and France, with many other European Countries expected to come online over the coming months. The lockers, which are solar powered, contain a variety of equipment based on the facilities and amenities in that area, and all equipment can be easily accessed through the use of a free app.
Leading on the project, Mary Corry, National Active Cities Officer, said:
“Working collectively to identify practical solutions is a key focus of the project. We know that for some, accessing equipment can be a real barrier to their participation, and with so many facilities, parks and open spaces across our cities, it’s important we try to meet the needs of individuals to enable them to be active.
As part of a feasibility study, representatives from the National Active Cities working group, visited Geneva and Lausanne to see the lockers both in production, and in operation across a number of parks. With over 15,000 users and over 50,000 hours of recorded activity to date, not only can these lockers provide access to equipment, but they will also provide invaluable data on the usage of the equipment in each local area.Limerick Sports Partnership are partnering with Limerick City & County Council to install a 6-locker unit in O’Brien Park (Clare Street Park). The equipment available in these lockers will compliment the full-size basketball court, volleyball court, and table tennis tables that are due to be added to O’Brien Park in September 2023.
Pat Quigley, Active Cities Officer with Limerick Sports Partnership, commented:
“Limerick Sports Partnership are delighted to be collaborating with Limerick City & County Council on this project. The aim of Active Cities is to increase the number of active spaces throughout the city, and to provide a diverse range of opportunities for everyone to take part. Introducing the BoxUp equipment lockers will encourage more people to get active and to enjoy the outdoor experience available in O’Brien Park.”
Carmel Lynch, Senior Engineer with Limerick City & County Council, added:
“BoxUp is an innovative and exciting project that aligns with Limerick City & County Councils’ objective of promoting and activating green spaces in Limerick City, and we are very pleased to support the installation of BoxUp in O’Brien Park.”
The lockers, which are being funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, will come on stream across the cities over the coming weeks!
For more information on the Active Cities project see www.limericksports.ie/active-cities #ActiveCities #ActiveCitiesLimerick
To learn more about the Limerick Active Cities project, contact pquigley@limericksports.ie #ActiveCitiesLimerick
For more information on the National Active Cities project, contact mcorry@limericksports.ie or check out www.sportireland.ie/activecities #ActiveCities
