City’s first adult outdoor gym officially open at Beavermead Park
The city’s first adult outdoor gym officially opened at Beavermead Park Wednesday.
It’s nestled into the north-west corner of the park by the volleyball courts, overlooking Little Lake.
The Rotary Outdoor Gym features about a dozen, low-impact exercise stations, some of which are accessible to those with disabilities.
The Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha and the Rotary Club of Peterborough partnered with the city to fund the $90,000 project. Each club pitched in $25,000, covering the equipment, and the city kicked in the rest, which paid for the installation and will back future maintenance.
Len Lifchus, president of the Rotary Club of Peteborough Kawartha, said the clubs wanted to give the community a gift in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday.
“We felt that there needed to be a legacy gift to the community,” Lifchus said.
They got the idea from a Rotary club in Oshawa, where Rotarians helped fund an outdoor gym.
The city’s equipment is blue and yellow, representing Rotary
club colours.
Instructions on how to use the equipment is posted on signage near each station.
Although the gym is designed for those who are 55 and older, Lifchus said it’s open to all ages.
“We didn’t just want this to be for the muscular set – we wanted it to be for the typical Peterboroughian.”
And what a view to take in while you’re working out, Lifchus said.
“What a gorgeous setting,” he said, peering out onto Little Lake.
Looking ahead, Lifchus said he’d like to see further development of outdoor gyms in the city and surrounding area. In fact, he said four municipalities nearby are considering the project.
“It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.”