Council & Business
14 July, 2022
New exercise equipment to help residents get active
Princes Park’s new outdoor exercise equipment is up and running with the site now officially open. Maryborough’s brand new exercise station, installed beside Lake Victoria next to the Adventure Playground, includes 10 pieces of exercise...
Princes Park’s new outdoor exercise equipment is up and running with the site now officially open.
Maryborough’s brand new exercise station, installed beside Lake Victoria next to the Adventure Playground, includes 10 pieces of exercise equipment including an aerobic cycle, stretch, body twist, pull and push ups, pull downs, leg press, a step up station and a wheelchair accessible dexterity builder.
A sensor activated water fountain has been installed on-site for people using the equipment to keep up their fluid intake while exercising, provided by Central Highlands Water.
Central Goldfields Shire councillor Gerard Murphy said the new equipment is a source of health and wellbeing for the community.
“The outdoor fitness equipment will provide opportunities for free physical activity for children, young people, families and senior members of the Maryborough community — it will also be a draw-card for residents from surrounding communities,” he said.
“The project aligns with our Active Central Goldfields Recreation and Open Space Strategy 2020-2029 as well as our Health and Wellbeing Plan which aims to promote opportunities for our community to be active, more often.”
The most recent Central Goldfields Active Living Census revealed 69 percent of adults in the Central Goldfields Shire are overweight or obese, with only 62 percent of residents using open spaces for fitness and exercise.
Only 51 percent of the shire’s residents reach physical activity guidelines.
Maryborough resident Coralee Rich said the outdoor exercise equipment was a great idea that would encourage residents to be more active.
“I think it’s a great idea and I’ve had a go on them,” she said.
“They accommodate for not overdoing things and the equipment does encourage people to be a bit more active.
“I think with a bit more promotion, people will think they do need to get involved and do a bit in the open.
“I think it’s really good.”
Similar exercise equipment has already been installed at Talbot and Dunolly, and will soon be installed at Carisbrook’s Market Reserve.
The new public exercise space has been made possible by the Victorian Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.