Residents of Darwin have no excuse not to get fit as the City of Darwin installs a fourth outdoor workout station in the suburb of Karama.
The City of Darwin has installed outdoor workout equipment in Koolinda Park in the suburb of Karama as part of the council’s
‘Healthy Darwin’ scheme.
Local residents can now use two dynamic exercise stations (elliptical trainer and chest press) as well as two static pieces of equipment (inclined sit-up bench and step ups).
The equipment, supplied by A-Play, has been installed on rubberised soft fall.
The chosen site is a popular thoroughfare situated next door to a primary school. It has natural shade and is in close proximity to water, lighting and a path.
"The chosen equipment allows users to build a varied exercise program that supports strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness," says Amber Herrmann, Community Wellbeing Officer at the City of Darwin.
“Some are cardio-based for aerobic workouts and others are more focused on balance and flexibility, which is particularly beneficial for seniors.”
Vandalism should not be a problem, says Herrmann.
“It is hoped that the installation of this equipment increases the usage of the park and, therefore, passive surveillance by the community.”
Funding for the project was provided by the Australian Government through Local Government Areas as part of the National Partnership
Agreement on Preventative Health. The goal of the project is to deliver community-based physical activity, lifestyle and healthy eating programs as
well as a range of policies to support healthy
lifestyle behaviours.
Darwin Health
“Within the initiative, the City of Darwin
developed Healthy Darwin, which aimed to help reduce the prevalence of overweight and obese
people within the target populations by maximising the number of adults engaged in physical activity
and healthy eating programs,” says Herrmann.
The Healthy Darwin team worked closely with its community advisory group to explore the potential issues relating to the installation of equipment.
Specifically the Healthy Darwin initiative
addresses the needs of adults in the Darwin area, many of whom are not in full-time paid employment and are at risk of chronic disease.
“The installation of exercise equipment has increased the council’s capacity to encourage healthy lifestyles in the community,” says Herrmann.
City of Darwin has no specific plans at this stage to invest in more outdoor workout equipment, but it is always looking to find new public places to encourage healthy living in the Darwin community.
Community Wellbeing Survey 2014
City of Darwin completed its Community Wellbeing Survey of over 500 residents in the first half of 2014.
Of those surveyed, 38 per cent identified parks and open spaces as one of the most important factors affecting their wellbeing.
Two thirds of respondents said that providing green parks and open spaces in which to play and exercise was something City of Darwin does well.