Leisure Services has received a funding grant from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the amount of £65,000 towards the provision of new outdoor fitness equipment at four sites across the Borough.

Each site links with new or existing children's play areas. Good feedback was received from the public consultation which ended 21st October 2011, and suppliers have been appointed for each of them.

The designs and layout of equipment for each site can be seen here (right) with accompanying site plans:

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Sherborn Crescent open space and play area, Canford Heath

Completed February 2012 - three clusters of outdoor fitness equipment is spread around the tree screen that borders the old cricket pitch; it links with the Playbuilder-funded improvements to the existing play area, and to equipment remaining from the original timber trim trail.

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Turlin Moor Recreation Ground, Hamworthy

Underway now, due for completion by 17th February - new fitness equipment is currently being installed close to the recently refurbished and improved play area at the Pavilion end of the recreation ground at Turlin Moor. 

A decision was taken to relocate to Hamworthy Park the equipment originally planned for the Foreland Road end of Turlin Moor Recreation Ground.  The equipment at the Pavilion end of Turlin Moor Recreation Ground will be installed as originally planned.  This allows the maximum number of people possible to use the equipment across two pieces of open space in the Hamworthy area.

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Hamworthy Park, Hamworthy

Completed December 2011 - new fitness equipment is located close to the adventurous play area / rebound wall and Hamworthy Education Centre. 

 

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Treasure Island play area at Canford Cliffs

Completed August 2011 - two 'Life Trail' stations, each housing six pieces of equipment, have been installed on the open space above Smuggler's & Canford Cliffs Chines, allowing adults to make free use of it whilst the young ones enjoy the new Treasure Island play area.

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Branksome Recreation Ground

A one mile (1600m) running / jogging route around the recreation ground is proposed, marked with distance markers. 

Installed along the route in four clusters will be approximately 15 items of outdoor fitness equipment, providing a range of stretching, balancing and muscle-building exercises.  The equipment will be designed to suit all abilities of user over 16 years of age. 

IMPORTANT: Funded by Planning Obligations, this scheme at Branksome Recreation Ground was first consulted on in 2009 but further consideration of the works had to be postponed to allow for the determination of an application for Town and Village Green status.  

The Council’s decision is now the subject of a legal challenge upon which a judgement is awaited as to whether the land does or does not meet the criteria for registration as a Town or Village Green.  The installation of fitness equipment must be delayed until judgement has been made.

Funding for this project: £40,000 from Planning Obligations  (Branksome West Ward)

 

The importance of outdoor fitness equipment

Physical activity has well documented protective effects against the risk of a person developing a number of chronic long-term conditions, including heart disease, cancer and musculo-skeletal problems.

This investment by Poole PCT supports the development of environments that encourage local residents to become more physically active.

Prevention of chronic disease over the longer term is recognised as a highly cost-effective investment compared with many interventions for acute disease currently funded by the NHS.

Project details:

• Total capital funding from Primary Care Trust (PCT): £65,000

• For the Branksome Rec project funding is supplied from Planning Obligations (Branksome West Ward): £40,000

• Lead Officer Martin Whitchurch  .  01202 261323  .  Email Martin