FALLS Park is set to get its own outside gym in the New Year.
The gym, which will be situated on the green area at the Falls Road entrance to the park, will include cross-trainers, modern sit-up benches and agility benches. Seven other sites in the city will also benefit from outside gyms in a scheme funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), Belfast City Council and the Belfast Health Development Unit as part of a project to develop and promote the new ‘Active Belfast’ brand.
Upper Falls Sinn Féin Councillor and Chair of Belfast City Council’s Parks and Leisure Committee, Steven Corr, welcomed the news.
“We’re engaged in a Falls Park/City Cemetery masterplan and we’re trying to concentrate as much facilities and resources into Falls Park as possible, so this news is a great boost for this park,” said Councillor Corr.
Health
“West Belfast has very high levels of deprivation. Obesity and health are also a massive issue here, so an outdoor gym will be brilliant for people of all ages.
“It’s not just going to be put in and left there either, we’re going to be tying it in with local schools, local health and wellbeing groups and local sports groups and summer schemes so everyone can get as much out of it as possible.
“It’s going to be a free facility so people can come in and use it whenever they want, although there may have to be a booking system in place for peak times. We’re hoping to have it up and running by the end of the financial year and we also hope it will be the beginning of a health and well-being hub that will great you as you come into Falls Park.”
