Communities get outdoor fitness equipment

Residents of Manukau have eagerly taken to the new outdoor fitness equipment recently installed in Meadowland Park.

Manukau Parks’ project manager, Kevin Kingston, says the equipment, which includes rider, elliptical cross trainer, air walker, lateral pull down, shoulder press, leg press and dipper, is attracting young and old alike, says

“Parks are always looking at ways in which we can get people active. Playgrounds tend to serve the younger people but these new fitness units serve both - young and old age groups. They are becoming increasingly popular overseas, especially in Asia.”

Being a sports park, Meadowland Park gets heavily used most times during the year, for soccer, softball, squash and tennis.

The park is also located close to many schools including Sommerville Intermediate School, Howick College, Shelly Park Primary School and Cockle Bay Primary School.

“We have located them on the main pedestrian thoroughfare where we expect high usage,” Mr Kingston says.