wellness

Croydon Residents Transform Parks Into Dog-Friendly Fitness Hubs This Summer

Croydon residents are turning local green spaces into combined dog exercise and group workout zones with increasing regularity this summer.

By Croydon Wellness Desk · Published 9 July 2026

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Croydon Council recorded 4,200 dog owners joining organised fitness sessions across three parks in the first six months of 2026, a direct result of new dog-friendly exercise zones installed at the start of the year.

Wellness groups in the borough have expanded rapidly since Croydon Active Parks launched its combined dog-and-human circuit programme on 1 March, giving residents without gym memberships a free alternative that combines walks with bodyweight drills while dogs remain on leads or in designated off-lead areas.

Lloyd Park and Wandle Park draw regular crowds

Lloyd Park on Coombe Road now hosts a Tuesday and Thursday morning circuit at 7.30am that starts with a 1.5km loop around the perimeter before moving to resistance bands and balance work near the playground. Wandle Park, accessed from Wandle Road, runs a similar format on Wednesdays and Saturdays led by the Croydon Dog Walkers Fitness group, which formed last autumn and now lists 380 members on its WhatsApp channel. Both sites added water bowls and waste-bag dispensers in April to accommodate the mixed human-and-canine turnout.

Numbers show steady growth in participation

Council figures released last week show park-based fitness attendance rose 22 per cent between January and June compared with the same period in 2025, with dog-related sessions accounting for nearly a third of that increase. The Active Parks timetable lists 14 free weekly slots across the borough, each capped at 25 participants to keep the sessions manageable for both dogs and owners. Sessions require no advance booking but participants must bring their own mats and water.

Residents interested in joining can check the Croydon Council website for updated schedules and any temporary closures due to weather or maintenance. Newcomers are advised to arrive 10 minutes early at either Lloyd Park or Wandle Park to meet the volunteer leads and register their dog’s details for insurance purposes.

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