22nd of September 2002
New Adult Fitness Park: A new adult fitness park has recently been installed in Waterford’s People’s Park to encourage people to get out and get active.
With ten new pieces of exercise equipment including a sit-up press, decline bench, pull up station and shoulder press, the equipment is durable and robust enough to withstand the elements. The exercise equipment allows for a wide range of body weight exercises to be completed across all muscle groups and the set-up of the equipment enables users to experience an outdoor exercise circuit according to ability.
Waterford City and County Council, with support from Waterford Sports Partnership’s Active Cities Waterford project, replaced the old equipment that had been in situ for over 10 years. Commenting on the new gym equipment, Metro Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Jason Murphy said that the new addition to the People’s Park is guaranteed to be very popular.
“The gym equipment is of the highest standard and offers a full gym experience, for free and outdoors. It’s a wonderful addition to the Park, which I’m sure will attract those who are new to exercising in outdoor locations and expand the benefits associated with regular exercise to a greater number of people.”
“Safety has also been taken into consideration, as the bark mulch base is not only more environmentally friendly, with minimal impact on the natural environment, it also doubles as a fall-resistant material.”
Sean Gormley, Executive Engineer, Waterford City and County Council, added that the adult fitness area is an investment not just in the area, but in people’s health. “The cost of the gym equipment and installation was €46,272, and while it is a long-term investment in key infrastructure, it is also an investment in providing a safe and accessible place to promote health and well-being in Waterford.”
Waterford Sports Partnership was delighted to contribute to the costs of the outdoor gym under the Active Cities Waterford project, which is a Dormant Accounts funded project via Sport Ireland. Elaine Mullan, Active Cities Officer with Waterford Sports Partnership, said “Having a quality outdoor gym such as this, available free to the public, is an example of how we want to make it easier for people in Waterford to be more active. Exercising in the outdoors brings with it added benefits and we look forward to seeing this new equipment used by young and old.”
