Fitness equipment is being installed in two Barrow parks.
The new outdoor gym is already open at Barrow Park offering eight individual exercise pieces as well as the Big Rig which provides a further number of exercise stations.
A similar offer is expected to be completed at Vickerstown Park this month as part of an innovative project to help tackle health inequalities in the town.
The cost of purchase and installation has been funded from a grant awarded to Barrow Borough Council last year from the Government’s Towns Fund Accelerator scheme.
Councillor Iain Mooney, Barrow Borough Council’s lead member for health and wellbeing said: “The equipment is fantastic and already being used by residents of all ages.
“This project is not only enhancing our excellent green spaces in the borough but also making sure there are no barriers to being able to enjoy regular exercise and staying healthy with the introduction of fully interactive equipment.”
The project forms part of the borough’s ambitious #BrilliantBarrow project which seeks to transform Barrow now and for future generations.
Last year #BrilliantBarrow secured an offer of £25 million from the Government’s Towns Fund for seven major schemes.
An additional £750,000 was awarded from the Towns Fund Accelerator scheme for a number of projects to help the community recover from the effects of the pandemic and to kickstart regeneration.
Other projects funded by the Towns Fund Accelerator include the purchase of a property which will be transformed into a town centre youth hub – something identified as a priority by successful youth organisation Drop Zone and the newly formed Furness Youth Work Partnership – a group of charities, bodies and representatives linked to services for children and young people in the area.
Councillor Derek Brook, Barrow Borough Council’s lead member for community, said the outdoor gym equipment would make a brilliant addition to the parks for residents and visitors alike.
He added: “I am so pleased that we were able to invest in new outdoor exercise facilities. Not only does it enhance our parks but it will hopefully encourage people to get out and about and to keep fit and healthy.
“Exercising should be an important part of anyone’s routine, it not only helps us to stay physically healthy but it can provide a very powerful boost to mental wellbeing too.”
