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- Thread starter dt_toronto_geek
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Northern Light
Superstar
I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of these. Its nothing against gym equipment in theory, its that the uptake (usage) , in my experience usually reflects what I see in your pic, which is to say....rather low. They're not that cheap either.
The City tried this idea before....(once since amalgamation), both times the program was nixed and the equipment was even removed in some cases. I'd like to see clearer evidence of usage. I'm not opposed, but make sure its the right program, for the right people, in the right place.
But if you like it (and use it), then that's good!
Here ya go:
Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Although there are no fitness programs scheduled for outdoor fitness equipment, they’re a great way to stay healthy and enjoy the outdoors! Visit the Parks and Community Recreation Centres Map and filter for Outdoor Fitness Equipment to find a location near you. The following parks have outdoor...
www.toronto.ca
Towered
Superstar
That was at 9:30 am on a Wednesday, so an awkward time. The whole park was dead (Marie Curtis). In my experience in the past when I’ve tried to use these things at various parks, there were always people using them, which got on my nerves. I’ll monitor again this summer, but I suspect they’re more popular than you think.
isaidso
Senior Member
Yes, it would be much nicer without the playground. Expanses of grass are far more beautiful and enjoyable when it's just grass accented with flower beds on the perimeter to prevent people/dogs from destroying it. Europe seems to be a lot better at designing serene green oases that aren't littered with infrastructure, gimmicks, etc.
Towered
Superstar
I disagree completely. Parks should have useful features that give people options for things to do, so that they have a greater incentive to go there. And installing outdoor gym equipment that anyone can use for free year round to induce healthier lifestyles is certainly not a “gimmick”.
christiesplits
Senior Member
I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of these. Its nothing against gym equipment in theory, its that the uptake (usage) , in my experience usually reflects what I see in your pic, which is to say....rather low. They're not that cheap either.
The City tried this idea before....(once since amalgamation), both times the program was nixed and the equipment was even removed in some cases. I'd like to see clearer evidence of usage. I'm not opposed, but make sure its the right program, for the right people, in the right place.
But if you like it (and use it), then that's good!
Here ya go:
Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Although there are no fitness programs scheduled for outdoor fitness equipment, they’re a great way to stay healthy and enjoy the outdoors! Visit the Parks and Community Recreation Centres Map and filter for Outdoor Fitness Equipment to find a location near you. The following parks have outdoor...
Whenever I see outdoor gym equipment in use it's usually a child using them like a jungle gym, suggesting that a playground would be more appropriate.
Northern Light
Superstar
On the gyms, do keep an eye out for what kind of use you see them getting. I noted that I'm open to them, so long as there is good uptake and they are properly maintained.
Gimmick may be turn of phrase that's too dismissive for you, which I get.........but I will say, Parks does pick up on certain ideas, sometimes due to organic popularity, sometimes media coverage and sometimes just someone in the dept has an enthusiasm for something they've seen somewhere, and suddenly (relatively) there are two dozen or two hundred 'x'.
Past examples might include the Ping Pong Tables that were suddenly a thing, which I rarely see used, pickleball is currently having a moment; we've also seen it with pollinator gardens, and bake ovens.
I'm not opposed to any of these, though I do wish we wouldn't run away w/the trend of the week; as these things cost money to install, money to maintain and money to remove if they fall into disuse/lack of interest.
If Towered's enthusiasm reads a bit much for some, your polar opposite reaction also seems a tad extreme.
Toronto has botanically maintained parks, like Rosetta McClain Gardens or James Gardens, or Edwards Gardens. I'll happily accept the suggestion there could be more of these, and a higher standard of care of plants and paths in every park.
But the idea that everything needs to be prim, proper, formal, and is only there to be seen/admired and not interacted with sounds quite unpleasant actually. Parks should include passive spaces for sure. And equally, I'll support the notion that we ought not to just drop a facility into a park just to say we did and check a box; because that type of over-programming, particularly in small parks makes for crowded space and sub-par facilities. Better to do fewer things better than lots badly.
But people do use parks to be active..........and if that's a sports field, great, a skating trail, wonderful, tennis courts, sublime, or gym equipment.......its all good, so long as its well thought out, well designed, well maintained, and consistently made use of/appreciated. There's a balance to be struck. One I think Parks often muffs on both sides of the coin...........but that's a different post/thread.
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Dan416
Senior Member
Mississauga has many of this outdoor gym equipment as well. And in the warmer months I believe they do get some use. Have also seen them in Warsaw as well. So I don't think it's a gimmick or unnecessary.
busybeaver
Active Member
poor Barbara Hall Park..
Cabral
New Member
Yes, my husband uses them often in the warmer months and says they're quite popular at his location (parkdale)
Northern Light
Superstar
busybeaver
Active Member
I already emailed them to the mayors office.. I never heard back from Chow's office but got a response from Councillor Moise's assistant who claimed the park is cleaned 3 times a day. I don't really think at this stage it matters how many times the park is cleaned as it looks like this on a daily basis. It's been taken over by people who have absolutely no respect for it and they know they can get away with it. The 'public park' is no longer safe and is now pretty much off limits to the public as it's been taken over by drug dealers, addicts, the mentally ill and homeless people. I've witnessed people urinating, defecating on the AIDS memorial, shooting up/smoking crack, dealing drugs, violent behaviour and screaming obscenities at passerbys, kicking over garbage bins where trash spills onto Church Street, lighting garbage on fire, vandalizing both public and private property, covering the bike share stand with tarps to create makeshift tents so no one can actually use the bikes. It's unbelievable what is tolerated in this park!
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evandyk
Senior Member
My mother-in-law runs a small high school near that park and it's been a disaster ever since 2020 or so. The park is not open to the public any more.
DSCToronto
Superstar
This looks like a very good move... https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.MM32.15 Vale of Avoca upgrades and restoration.
Consideration Type: ACTION
Wards: 11 - University - Rosedale, 12 - Toronto - St. Paul's
and
MM32.15 - Authorization to Release Section 45 Funds to Support a Redesign of the Vale of Avoca Ravine that Includes a Missing Walking Trail Connection - by Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow
Notice of MotionConsideration Type: ACTION
Wards: 11 - University - Rosedale, 12 - Toronto - St. Paul's
and