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 objectives 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.

Since 2010, 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. These projects, events and more importantly the community have led us to dream and pursue the idea of a permanent cafe 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 opened in October 2021. It provides a hireable space (Park Hub) and a community cafe (Park Cafe). The cafe provides a safe and warm space as well as quality food and drink. The Hub hosts a range of charity and community activities, music, sports groups and private parties. Any income generated goes back into Park Life projects, events and activities. 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!

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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 opened in October 2021.

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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.

Our Annual Report

Please find a copy of our annual report for 2023 here

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.