December 2024: Dear Friends of Harrow Rec...
At the end of a busy year in our park, your HRUA Management Committee sends you best wishes for the Christmas holiday, and a happy, healthy, peaceful 2025.
Hopefully, you will have the opportunity for some rest, and to spend time with friends and family over this period, and maybe find some time for a winter walk in The Rec.
We hope that you were able to spend time in the park and enjoy some of our events and activities in 2024, and we look forward to welcoming you to the nature walks, music concerts and fun days that we have planned for the coming year.
HRUA Management Committee
STOP PRESS!
Hi Harrow Rec park users. You probably know how important urgent help is for someone suffering cardiac arrest, but do you know how to recognise when someone needs resuscitation and what to do to help them?
Well, with a little training, and no equipment, anyone can be that hero who saves a life, and if you have access to a "defibrillator" and know how to use it, then the chances of a good outcome are even higher.
Our users association has sponsored the purchase of a defibrillator, and anyone can access it during opening hours for the park cafe. And this year, in June and July, we are running our very popular "London Lifesaver" training programme in association with St John Ambulance.
For details, and how to join, please see the document linked below and register, then you could be a "London Lifesaver".
Who We Are
The Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association (HRUA) is a voluntary group of park users who organise around 10 free events in ‘The Rec’ each year, open to all.
We act when needed as a support and lobbying group on behalf of park users, and we aim to work in partnership with other park groups and clubs, and Harrow Council to make sure that the facilities in the park can be enjoyed by all.
Our governing documents and minutes are published online. You can follow the links below to see them, or to join our work.
Around the Park
Take off your earphones, turn up your senses, and enjoy our beautiful trees, lawns, gardens and wildlife.
You’ll find all the usual park facilities at ‘The Rec’: football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, children’s playground.
In the Ahimsa Peace Garden you can enjoy the tranquillity of the fenced Quiet Area or meet friends or hold a party in the Picnic Area.
You can get fit at two outdoor gyms, use the covered area for your outdoor events (free booking required), and get refreshments at the popular SEVA Cafe.
Clubs & Activities
There has been a bowling ground at the Rec since its earliest days, and Harrow Bowling Club was formed around 1902.
The Rec is also home to Harrow St Mary’s Youth Football Club and the 3-Bridges Cricket Club.
Activities open to all include:
- Harrow parkrun (Saturdays 9am by Harrow St Mary’s Pavilion);
- Tai Chi for Health (Fridays 9:30 to 10:30 near the café or on the Basketball Court);
- Group Exercise (Tuesdays 9:45 to 10:45 near the Tennis Courts or on the Basketball Court);
- and Harrow Health Walk (Fridays 10.45 meet outside the café).
Volunteering
HRUA runs about ten events each year - free for all to join and always very popular - and the help of our supporters is essential to organise and run these.
The Harrow Rec Community gardeners meet twice per month to help keep the park tidy and beautiful, and safe for all users - working in conjunction with the Harrow Council Green Team.
Our regular book sales are a great way to ‘recycle’ books, and raise valuable funds for our programmes and activities.
We also work with Harrow Council in planning and completing improvements to the park infrastructure and facilities
Upcoming Events
Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association has organised some exciting events for you and your families to enjoy throughout the year...
Click on the link for a full programme, and watch out for updates on our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group, as events may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Sunday 11th May 10:30 am until 12:30 pm
Spring Tree Walk with John Wells
Join our "expert dendrologist", for a walk beneath the park’s trees, to learn how to identify them, how they reproduce and grow, and about the diversity of natural life that they support.
John’s walks are always popular, as he shares his vast knowledge with friendly humour and an easy-going style.
Meet by the Hindes Road gate. We will return to the park cafe after the walk for a free beverage and more chat.
Sunday 18th May 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Kites & Bikes Festival
Spring is here, and it’s time to dust off that old bicycle and pull your kite out of the back of the cupboard, because the Kites & Bikes Festival is back!
Dr. Bike will be with us, to check that your bike is in good working order, and to advise on fixing any issues (if it’s a simple job the Dr. might be able to fix it there and then).
Hopefully there will be a good breeze for kite flying. If you don’t have your own, we have kits and can help you make one, or you can buy one of our reasonably-priced, ready-made models.
Join the party on the north field, near to the tennis and basketball courts.
Regular Events, Groups, & Team Activities
Here are some events and activities that take place in our park, every week "come rain, come shine". Why not come along and join in, no invitation necessary. Send us an email, or check our “Friends of Harrow Rec” Facebook group for more details.
Monthly, on first Monday and fourth Friday
From April 'til Nov 2-4 pm
Garden Team
Calling all gardeners! Never mind the weather or the season, we meet for digging, planting, tidying, taming, sweeping and litter-picking.
Whether you are green-fingered or all thumbs you will be welcomed, there are jobs to suit everyone, and fun and companionship besides.
Find us either at the "Green Pavilion" (near to the Cafe and Bowling Green), in the Ahimsa Peace Garden (near the basket ball courts), or out and about in the park with spade, secateurs and broom!
Monthly, on last Wednesday
11:30 am-1:00 pm
Good Neighbour Reconnection Club
Join Age UK at the park cafe, every last Wednesday of the month for some fun, chat and activities as we reconnect with each other and the community!
Please feel free to get in touch and RSVP with us on 020 8756 4391 or email
Each Friday,
9.30 until 10.30
Harrow Tai Chi for Health
We are a community group who are actively promoting the joy of practising tai chi in the open parks for health and general well being.
Our Harrow Rec sessions are 9.30am to 10.30am every Friday morning and they are free and full of fun. Hope you will make new friends and have an enjoyable one hour of fresh air, gentle exercise, tranquility and mindfulness with us.
We meet near the green canopy by the cafe or in the basket ball at 9.30am. We look forward to seeing you.
TBA
Tennis Sessions
March 2025: Tennis coaching and free sessions are currently under review - more news soon, hopefully.
Each Saturday, 09.00
Harrow Rec parkrun
parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event that takes place at thousands of venues across the world.
Parkrunners run, jog or walk our 5k course at their own pace.
More information can be found on the Harrow parkrun website
Each Tuesday,
9.45 to 10:45
Group Exercise
aka "bootcamp". Join our exercise group out in the fresh air every Tuesday morning. And then, maybe stay on for a friendly chat in the cafe afterwards.
Meet on grass, near to the tennis courts - or the basketball court.
All Welcome:
Each Friday,
10.45 to 11.15 am
Women of all ages:
Each Wednesday,
12.55 pm
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month (March-Oct), 11 am
Harrow Health Walks
Want to get active and meet new people? Join one of our friendly walking groups in Harrow Recreation Ground
Walking has numerous health benefits. Walking in nature is self care and excellent for the mind, body & spirit.
Enjoy an easy-paced walk around our beautiful park with a friendly and supportive group. Bring a friend or make new ones as it’s a great way to catch up and stay active.
Supported by Harrow Council and Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association.
No need to book, just turn up and meet the group at the park cafe.
Gallery
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