Gym equipment placed in Boston parks for free public use

[Paul Murphy]

Gym equipment placed in Boston parks for free public use
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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IMPROVING fitness by going to a gym can be a scary prospect for some as well as being expensive.

But now there is a chance to get fit and keep active by using new equipment placed for free use in parks in the Boston area.

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Gym in park

Thanks to funding from NHS Lincolnshire equipment available now includes a cross-trainer, a rower, sit-up benches, balance beams, monkey bars and hurdles.

Boston Borough Council's partnerships and sustainability manager Ian Farmer said: "The concept behind the bid was to make healthier choices easier and affordable.

"We recognise that not everyone can afford the time or the money to go to a gym, so we thought why not provide the equipment in our public spaces instead?"

An earlier trial of outdoor gym equipment in Central Park, funded by the council, showed a wide range of people of all ages were using it.

The investments are particularly aimed at families by making exercise fun and a shared activity.

Adult obesity rates in Boston are higher than both the England and Lincolnshire average, with almost one in five of Year 6 children also classified as being obese.

Health portfolio holder Councillor Stephen Woodliffe said: "We hope this initiative will help to combat obesity by making exercise fun and we are very grateful for the NHS investment in these new facilities."

Boston Borough Council secured capital funding of £65,000 for the provision of two trim trails, new outdoor gym equipment at Central Park and Woodville Road Playing Field and a financial contribution towards land acquisition at Boston Woods to enable an extension of the joint path/cycleway.

In addition, the council was successful in securing almost £4,000 to create an accessible indoor multi-use area at the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex for the disabled and those with mobility difficulties.
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