Cork City Council, in association with Cork Sports Partnership and Cork Education and Training Board, are installing eleven new outdoor gyms in parks around the city. These clustered outdoor callisthenic gyms, with age friendly and accessible elements, have already proven popular at Tramore Valley Park, Harty’s Quay, and Ballincollig Regional Park.
The new locations are:
- Clogheenmilcon Sanctuary Walkway, Blarney – Open
- Gerry O’Sullivan Park, St. Colmcille’s Road, Gurranabraher; – Open
- John O’Callaghan Park, Ballinglanna, Glanmire;- Open
- Lough Mahon (Blackrock Castle Car Park B), Castle Road, Blackrock;- Open
- Murphy’s Farm, Bishopstown;- Open
- Popham’s Park, Farranferris Green, Farranree; – Open
- Ballycannon Park, Clogheen/Kerrypike;
- Clashduv Park;
- Tory Top Park; – Open
- The Lough; – Open
- Meelick Park, Ballyvolane.
Following a pilot program to provide people with the confidence and skills to use the gyms, a series of free sessions, given by trained instructors, are being offered to the public. These sessions will be open to all ages and abilities.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, praised the installation of the gyms, “the installation of new outdoor gyms in across our city is a great way to provide a space for the people of Cork to keep active and healthy. These gym installations have proved very popular so far and there have already been public calls for more in other city neighbourhoods. The pilot programme with instructors for our younger citizens is an important opportunity to give them the confidence to use this equipment without assistance in the future.”
These sessions are all about giving people the knowledge and confidence to be able to come to these gyms with a friend, a parent or sibling or use themselves. This programme will kick off with five locations, Gerry O’ Sullivan Park, Tramore Valley Park, John O’Callaghan Park, Murphy’s Farm and Lough Mahon but will be rolled out to other areas in due course.
Source: Cork City Council
