This is the largest Urban Sports Park in the Benelux
As a kid, he dreamed of a park like this. A place where you can do tricks on a BMX bike and where all urban sports come together. Shahim Azimi (32) is therefore proud that this park - partly thanks to the support of the Regio Deal - could be realized. Since 2019 he has been teaching with his association Barsloths (calisthenics) in the Urban Sportpark in Eindhoven. 'I can be found here about five times a week as a volunteer, trainer and athlete. I can do my thing here.'
We have an obstacle course for a survival and obstacle run, calisthenics and freerunning, a pumptrack for BMX, opportunities to skate and scoot, play and exercise equipment, a soccer cage, but also a playground for children. In fact, you can't think of anything else, or it's there! But perhaps even more important: it is public. Everyone is welcome here.'
Calisthenics and social control
The Urban Sportpark has recently become a popular spot in Eindhoven. A lot of lobbying went into this. We started small, but an investment was needed to expand the park. 'The contribution from the Regio Deal has given the development an enormous boost. We were able to expand the park to what it is today: the largest Urban Sports Park in the Benelux.'
Free and for everyone
According to Shahim, urban parks are much more common on the streets of other countries. There you see more of these kinds of places, where both clubs and schools as well as individual athletes can make free use of it. Companies also benefit from this park. Red Bull, for example, organized the quarter finals of the Pumptrack here. But clubs also organize competitions here on a regular basis.
Teaching
Due to the popularity of the park, visitor numbers have increased significantly. From early morning to late at night you see people exercising here. Young and old.' He himself teaches calisthenics to children once a week. This sport is a form of strength training in which you use your body weight and a bar (an iron rod, ed.). During the training you perform various exercises to train the major muscle groups. But you also do tricks, like a handstand on the bar. In the weekends we come together as a community. Then everyone shows what he or she can do.
Besides being a trainer, Shahim is also a fanatical athlete. 'I try to train about five times a week in the Urban Sportpark. Also to keep an eye on the team. I do that together with other volunteers. There is a lot of social control here. It's wonderful that this park can exist like this. A place where we can exercise together!'
Want to know more about the Urban Sportpark?
Want to learn more or use the Urban Sportpark? You can! Check out the facebook page or send an email to sport@eindhoven.nl.
