Riverbank Fitness Park to open on shared pathway

Published on 13 December 2022

An outdoor fitness park on the bank of the Whanganui River will be open in time for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The park is situated on the shared pathway between Whanganui City Bridge and Cobham Bridge, adjacent to the ‘train’ sculpture. Car access is available from the Taupo Quay freedom camping site.

The park is made up of five fitness stations, each made of durable stainless steel by Norwell Outdoor Fitness and Play. The stations target a range of muscle groups and can be used for strength training or cardio.

The Rotary Club of Whanganui funded $30,000 toward the project as part of its Centennial celebrations with the remaining $25,000 funded from Whanganui District Council’s Sport and Recreational Facilities advisory group. The project costs include excavation work, concrete pouring and a durable surface for the equipment. Ali Arc Industries donated two fitness stations. The council will maintain the park. The project is supported by Ngā Tangata Tiaki o Whanganui and Tupoho. 

Community feedback from Whanganui’s Age-Friendly Plan indicated the desire for an outdoor fitness park, which are well-used in other parts of New Zealand. Cr Rob Vinsen, who is a member of the council’s Sport and Recreational Facilities Advisory Group, says if the park is well-used other fitness parks may be installed along the riverbank, created with a similar partnership approach.

“We talked to regular users of the shared pathway who said a fitness park would complement other recreational activities such as biking, walking, jogging or skateboarding, which are popular on the pathway. It’s an inexpensive way of strength-training and can be utilised as part of people’s regular routine. There are opportunities to add to the park over time, based on usability and community feedback,” says Cr Vinsen.

The park will be opened on Monday, 19 December by Mayor Andrew Tripe.