Falcons, funfairs and fitness in Manchester parks this Easter

Parks right across Manchester are hosting free activities for the whole family this Easter weekend.  

The wide range of events includes everything from falconry to fitness to face-painting to funfairs – so there’s something for residents of all ages to enjoy at one of the city’s green spaces.

Heaton Park plays host to a packed calendar of special Easter activities, including a free display of birds of prey from the Wildwings Centre. This free event on Easter Sunday (27 March, noon – 4pm) gives you the chance to learn more about a range of beautiful owls, hawks and falcons.

Fitness activities at Heaton Park on Saturday 26 March include the Easter Park Run (9am) and the Easter Bunny Hop, which is being held to raise money for Epilepsy Action (11am).

And anyone wanting to give their fitness levels a serious test can try the free British Military Fitness Boot Camp, with sessions offered across the Easter Weekend, as part of the Manchester Community Games programme.

A traditional Easter Egg Hunt for young children is among the other free attractions on offer.

Other parks around the city are also offering special day out ideas.

Police-trained response dogs will be giving a demonstration of their amazing crime-fighting powers at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield (Easter Monday, 2pm).  The dogs will show off all of their agility and obedience as they sniff out evidence, chase down ‘criminals’ and navigate their way around obstacles along the way.

Alexandra Park in Whalley Range plays host to a full, free programme of family and sporting activities on Easter Saturday (10am – 4pm).  Cycling and tennis coaching sessions are on offer, with Easter Egg colouring, cookie decoration and nest box making among the creative events happening at the Tea Hive Café.

At Boggart Hole Clough, Blackley, nature-lovers can learn how to identify the different types of birdsong all around them – from Robins to Blackbirds to Wrens, our park-loving birds will all be singing as they seek to attract a mate and defend their territory against rivals.  Staff from the Greater Manchester Local Record Centre will be on hand to help budding birders pick out all the different woodland sounds (Easter Saturday, 8 – 10am).

Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Rosa Battle, said: “The Easter weekend is the perfect opportunity to enjoy spending time in your local park.  Whether you’re looking to get fit, or have fun enjoying free activities with all the family, the range of events this Easter is really imaginative and gives residents of all ages plenty to choose from.”

For a full rundown of events in Manchester parks this Easter, go to www.manchester.gov.uk/parks.  

Many of the fitness events taking place are part of the Manchester Community Games programme. Manchester Community Games is a citywide day of free sporting activities, held on Easter Saturday.  To find the full programme, go to www.mcrgames.com.

A public consultation on a proposed strategy for the future of Manchester’s parks is currently underway. The consultation, found at www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations, gives everyone the chance to have their say on how they would like to see city parks develop over the next decade.