East Suffolk Council
BoxUp free sports equipment locker moving to Nicholas Everitt Park
Visitors to Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad will now be able to benefit from a popular scheme which provides people with free sports equipment.
The popular free-to-use sports equipment locker, known as BoxUp, has been enjoyed by users of Normanston Park in Lowestoft since its installation in May 2024. From Friday 29 August, the unit will be relocated to Nicholas Everitt Park, giving a fresh audience the chance to benefit from its facilities.
Cllr Paul Ashdown, Chair of the Lowestoft and Northern Parishes Community Partnership, has expressed his sincere thanks to Lowestoft Town Council for their support in hosting the BoxUp unit at Normanston Park. He added that its new home at Nicholas Everitt Park, Oulton Broad, will further enhance families to enjoy sporting activities already provided by Oulton Broad Parish Council.
“Exercise and taking part in sport is one of our top priorities within the Lowestoft and Northern Parishes Community Partnership,” said Cllr Ashdown. “We want to encourage a healthier and fitter population, and this move will give people the opportunity to get active in a welcoming and accessible environment.”
Funded initially by the Lowestoft and Northern Parishes Community Partnership and later through a successful bid through the Hornsea 3 Fund, BoxUp has already proved to be a much-loved addition to local parks.
The new location at Nicholas Everitt Park was chosen for its high visitor numbers and variety of users. The unit will be positioned centrally, near the table tennis table and coffee shop, making it even easier for families, friends, and individuals to access.
BoxUp is designed to be simple and completely free:
- Download the BoxUp app and register with minimal details (such as a driving licence).
- Use the app to unlock the locker and borrow equipment such as footballs, tennis rackets, or table tennis bats.
- Return the items after use, with the locker automatically securing itself again.
The unit runs entirely on solar power, requiring no external wiring or infrastructure—an eco-friendly solution that supports community wellbeing while caring for the environment.