Page 1 of 37

Northern Rivers Outdoor Gym

Mapping Report

April-May 2017

Figure 1 - Charlie Ryan Park Iluka. Source- Matthew Toohey

Page 2 of 37

Table of Contents

Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 3

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Healthy Built Environments .................................................................................................................... 5

Related reports ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Research Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 6

Study Area ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Mapping Process ................................................................................................................................. 7

Findings ................................................................................................................................................... 8

General Observations ......................................................................................................................... 8

Website Presence ............................................................................................................................... 9

Falls Prevention ................................................................................................................................... 9

Criteria Selection ............................................................................................................................... 10

Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................... 10

Individual Observations by Council ....................................................................................................... 11

Ballina Shire Council .......................................................................................................................... 11

Byron Shire Council ........................................................................................................................... 13

Clarence Valley Council ..................................................................................................................... 17

Kyogle Shire Council .......................................................................................................................... 21

Lismore City Council .......................................................................................................................... 24

Richmond Valley Council ................................................................................................................... 27

Tweed Shire Council .......................................................................................................................... 29

Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 32

Further use ............................................................................................................................................ 33

References ............................................................................................................................................ 34

Appendices ............................................................................................................................................ 35

Outdoor Gym Location Template ..................................................................................................... 35

Mapping Template ............................................................................................................................ 35

Observational Criteria Template ....................................................................................................... 36

Page 3 of 37

Executive Summary

The Northern Rivers Outdoor Gym Mapping Report was developed by the Healthy

Environments Team of the Health Promotion Unit in Northern New South Wales Local

Health District.

The objective of this project was to map the outdoor gym equipment (OGE) across the

Northern Rivers in order to promote options for physical activity, particularly for older

people. The aim of the report is to act as a foundation and reference point during the creation

of future Community Strategic Plans (CSP) across the Northern Rivers’ seven local

government areas (LGA).

A mapping assessment of each OGE was completed and assembled into this report. This

involved a physical assessment and written observations, supported by photographs, of each

individual OGE equipment as well as the OGE as a facility. Whilst there was generally a high

quality and well established number of OGE within the Northern Rivers area, there is

considerable work that could be done to further improve on these successes. These

improvements, as detailed within this report, are focused on:

Lack of website presence

Maintenance of current equipment

Improving accessibility and usability of OGE to people with varying physical abilities

Including equipment and signage that supports simple strength and balance exercise

(for general use, but also as a Falls Prevention measure)

The potential benefits from the implementation of OGE highlights the importance of these

facilities within the Northern Rivers. Not only do they have substantial health benefits for

participants, there are a number of additional benefits, such as increased community cohesion

and the strengthening of tourism.

Acknowledgements

This Project was created by the Healthy Environments Team of the Northern New South

Wales Local Health District. The project was undertaken by Matthew Toohey as part of an

internship with the Healthy Environments Team, supported by Healthy Environments Health

Promotion Officer Adam Guise.

The author would like to thank the staff within the seven LGAs for their assistance in

mapping the equipment as well as the various community members who helped determine

their location.

Page 4 of 37

Introduction

Physical inactivity and the consequences it has on health, at both a population and an

individual level, is an important issue for most local and national governments across the

world. Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors that has contributed to the serious

rates of chronic diseases within Australian society, including cardio vascular disease (CVD),

diabetes, cancer and mental health (1). In 2011-12 the Australian Health Survey reported that

more than half of adults (56%) do not meet physical activity guidelines and that just over

60% of children averaged at least one hour per day (2). These guidelines are based upon the

World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for

Health which state that “children and young people aged 5-17 years old should accumulate at

least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily” and that “adults

who should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity throughout

the week” (3). As a result of these findings the Australian Government has made physical

activity the focus of various National and State campaigns including Healthy Spaces &

Places, Get Set 4 Life and the Healthy Communities Initiative.

One way to increase physical activity levels of Australians is the implementation of park

gyms. A park gym is a strategically placed OGE that is located in public space (often a park

or a walkway) and is free for the public to use. Most OGE is designed to be a cross between

typical gym equipment and children playground equipment. The types of OGE include all-in-

one (where the equipment is all joined), static exercise stations (separated equipment), fitness

trails (equipment is distanced at intervals), exercise station trail (exercise stations with

moving equipment that is spaced out over a trail), and modern (moving equipment similar to

indoor fitness equipment) (4). OGE has a number of interconnected positive influences which

include increasing social cohesiveness and neighbourhood connections, increasing physical

activity education, increasing tourism and visual experiences of a community, increasing use

of built environments and public infrastructure, and most importantly increasing physical

activity (5) (6) (7).

The aim of the report is to act as a foundation and reference point of discussions during the

creation of future Community Strategic Plans (CSP) across the Northern Rivers’ seven local

government areas (LGA). The objectives of the report are to map the OGE across the

Northern Rivers in order to promote free options and venues for physical activity, including

people who may not normally use specialised fitness facilities such as gym equipment. Since

OGE is free to use, located in a healthy environment and are modifiable depending on ability

level, they are particularly useful for increasing population physical activity engagement(7).

This increase in physical activity may not only contribute to reduced burden of

cardiovascular disease and cancers, but may also combat risk factors such as muscular

weakness, reduced bone density and decreased balance, which could reduce the number of

falls especially within the older population (7).

By mapping the OGE in the Northern Rivers and sharing this information with councils,

residents and visitors can understand the location and purpose of OGE. This report could also

aid councils to benchmark their OGE against best practice guidelines and plan for installation

of new OGE and maintenance of existing ones.

Page 5 of 37

Healthy Built Environments

The built environment is “defined as the part of the physical environment that is constructed

by human activity” (8). A healthy built environment is comprised of the following sub

themes; active transport, the economy, education, health, participation and engagement,

physical activity, parks, play and public open spaces, safety, urban design, walking, and the

workplace (9). Thus a healthy built environment is one that is created to nurture and

positively support these features. As the built environment is a key component in physical

activity (the others being individual factors, such as education and values, along with the

social environment, such as social support and social norms) it needs to be carefully

considered when changing the environment. For a physical activity promotion intervention to

be most successful it should target all three components (10). The built environment can be

designed to provide increased opportunities for physical activities through: active transport

infrastructure to promote walking, cycling and public transport, increase street connectivity,

density and mixed use development, and can improve public open space/green space” (11)

Related reports

The research around OGE and their benefits to combat physical inactivity, and hence chronic

diseases, has been around for a number of years (12) (13). However, studies mapping OGE is

a recent addition to the literature. Ellie Caldwell shaped the area of OGE mapping in

Australia with her 2010 undergraduate thesis on planning for outdoor gyms in Sydney. The

thesis looked to solve a number of questions including to “define what an outdoor gym is;

identify where outdoor gyms are located in Sydney; find out the type of outdoor gym

equipment that has been erected; identify how outdoor gyms in Sydney have evolved; and

explore local governments’ perspectives towards planning for outdoor gyms” (14). As a

result, Caldwell highlighted an accurate way of how to map OGE and substantially increased

the knowledge of OGE in Sydney.

The mapping process in this report was also influenced by the 2012 NSW Coastline

Cycleway North Coast Survey. The objective of the NSW Coastline Cycleway North Coast

Survey was to “identify opportunities to improve the Coastline Cycleway in Northern NSW

in order to enhance its safety and rideability and meet its objective of linking together

separate communities along the NSW coast” (15). The clear structure of this report and the

observational skills utilised demonstrated how to map and analyse a physical activity related

infrastructuresuch as a cycleway or an OGE.

Page 6 of 37

Research Methodology

To create this report an observational study was completed on all the known OGE in the

Northern Rivers area.

Study Area The Northern Rivers is a region on the north east coast of New South Wales (NSW),

Australia. The Northern Rivers is divided into seven local government areas (LGAs); Ballina

Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, Clarence Valley Council, Kyogle Shire Council,

Lismore City Council, Richmond Valley Council, and Tweed Shire Council.

Figure 2 - Northern Rivers Region Map. Source- http://rdanorthernrivers.org.au/about

Page 7 of 37

Mapping Process

To discover the location of the OGE within the Northern Rivers the seven LGAs were

contacted via email and telephone. When the call was received by the customer service staff

member they were asked to transfer the call to a Parks and Recreation officer or someone

they believed would know the location of the OGE. If the Parks and Recreation officer was

available, then they were questioned and shared their knowledge on the known locations of

the OGE. If however, the officer was not available then the Customer Service member was

asked on their knowledge of the OGE.

As a follow up on the telephone call to local councils, various community members were

asked about the locations of OGE. These community members ranged from family and

friends of the authors to workers within the NSW Population Health building. This occurred

as a backup to cover any missed knowledge in case council staff were away or were unaware

of the OGE in their area.

Similarly, computer based research was conducted to further extend the locational knowledge

of the OGE. This research was undertaken through a Google search and a search on each

LGA website. Key phrases including ‘fitness equipment’, ‘outdoor gym equipment’ and

‘park gym’ were used, followed by the name of each LGA to help specify the search to

within the desired study area.

An Outdoor Gym Location Template (Appendix A) and a Mapping Template (Appendix B)

was then created with the known location of each OGE along with any suspected possible

location, with these possible locations resulting from the questioning of community members.

Similarly, an Observational Criteria Template (Appendix C) was created using the key

criteria as formed by the authors with the guidance of the 2015 Kidsafe Outdoor Gym fact

sheet (4). This template allowed the observer to have a clear, unbiased and consistent focus

when assessing each OGE.

Field visits were conducted by travelling to each location, observing the OGE using the

specified criteria, and entering the data into the Observational Criteria Template (Appendix

C) within Microsoft Word. No other data collection software was used. Photographs using a

personal mobile telephone were then taken of the OGE as a whole, each individual piece of

equipment, as well as any instructions or maps.

These processes allowed for an analysis of the overall trends and observations as well a

comparison between each individual OGE. This analysis and comparison was aimed to help

map the OGE and allow for recommendations on the further placement of OGE within the

Northern Rivers.

Page 8 of 37

Findings

General Observations Overall there was a number of high quality and well positioned OGE within the Northern

Rivers area. These OGE demonstrated the potential of successful initiatives that can result

from the combination of government priority areas and healthy environmental planning.

There are however a number of improvements that should occur to increase these potential

benefits.

LGA Park name Benefits Improvements

Ballina City

Council

Opposite

Commemoration

Park

Great location Fix

maintenance/safety

issues and add

more equipment

Increase website

presence

Byron Shire

Council

Cape Byron

Walking Track

Great location

and variety in

equipment

Increase falls

prevention

Increase website

presence

Byron Shire

Council

Waterlily Park Great variety of

equipment

Increase rain/sun

protection

Increase website

presence

Clarence Valley

Council

Charlie Ryan

Park

Great location

and variety in

equipment

Increase rain/sun

protection

Increase website

presence

Clarence Valley

Council

Ford Park –

Whiting Beach

Great location Increase falls

prevention

Increase website

presence

Kyogle Shire

Council

Anzac Park Great for those

who use a

wheelchair

Increase

equipment for

those without a

wheelchair

Increase website

presence

Kyogle Shire

Council

Woodenbong

Swimming Pool

Great variety of

equipment

Improve facilities

(seats/water

bubblers)

Increase website

presence

Lismore City

Council

Nesbitt Park Great location

and integration

of other

facilities

Increase falls

prevention

Increase website

presence

Page 9 of 37

Lismore City

Council

Clifford Park Great variety of

equipment

Increase falls

prevention

Increase website

presence

Richmond

Valley Council

Evans Head Great location Increase variety of

equipment

including falls

prevention

Increase website

presence

Tweed Shire

Council

Opposite Tweed

Heads Hospital

Great location Increase variety of

equipment

including falls

prevention

Increase website

presence

Tweed Shire

Council

Jack Bayliss

Park

Great location

and variety in

equipment

Increase rain/sun

protection

Increase website

presence

Website Presence The overall objective of this report is to map the location of the OGE within the Northern

Rivers and to provide options for physical activity. The need for this mapping became

extremely evident when completing the computer based research. The lack of available

information on most LGA websites on the facilities at each park made it very difficult to map

the OGE. There was very little information, other than a brief announcement within council

minutes that work will begin, or has completed, on new gym equipment. Very few LGA

websites had a list of parks that explained where and what equipment was available. Most

information was actually discovered through news articles found through the Google search.

This poses a challenge for the community in receiving the locational knowledge of the OGE

resulting in a reduction of access, use and therefore benefits of the equipment. This is

especially relevant for visitors and tourists.

Falls Prevention When observing and assessing the OGE a particular focus on falls prevention was kept in

mind. There is evidence that engagement in strength and balance exercise can reduce falls

rates (7). Overall, the existing OGE do not support strength and balance exercise that are

suitable and accessible to older people. To increase participation amongst older people, it is

crucial to install support bars next to equipment or modify equipment so that it is easier to

use while seated.

Page 10 of 37

Criteria Selection It is unrealistic to suggest that every OGE should observe all the criteria listed in the

Observational Criteria Template (Appendix C). Each LGA should decide on what criteria it

can follow based upon factors such as location, desired purpose, population demographics,

funding available and natural environment. It was therefore observed that each OGE had a

different combination of criteria. It was noted however that no OGE had any shade or rain

shelter over the equipment. This was an interesting observation as weather factors act as a

determinant for physical activity (16) and the Northern Rivers area has a sunny and wet sub-

tropical climate. Various factors may have contributed to the lack of weather protection with

the most influential being lack of funding.

Maintenance Maintenance of any physical structure is essential to ensure safety, positive aesthetic

experiences, and long standing use. OGE are no different. Within the observed OGE there

were very few maintenance issues. These often involved minor issues such as graffiti that

was obstructing the instructions, or fading of instructions from exposure to weather. The

weather appears to be the cause of any serious wear and tear and is especially evident on the

OGE equipment made of wood. This creates a dangerous hazard of splintered wood which

can cause injury and makes the equipment unsuitable for use. This was reported and it is

important for any observer to report any other dangerous hazards through the customer

feedback link of the specific LGA or by contacting the LGA by phone.

Figure 3- Splintered Wood Sit Up Bench, opposite Commemoration Park, Ballina. Source- Matthew Toohey

Page 11 of 37

Individual Observations by Council

Ballina Shire Council

Figure 4.1: Mapping of Ballina Shire Council

Park Number 1

Location Ballina

Park Name/Address Opposite Commemoration Park- Bentinck St,

Ballina, NSW, 2480

LGA Ballina Shire Council

Manufacturer Unknown

Type of Equipment Sit up bench and chin up bars

Website Presence None

Integration of Other Facilities/Services Located opposite walking/running track, river,

playground, skatepark, sporting field (netball court,

hockey field, football field and cricket oval)

Condition of Equipment Poor

Maintenance Issues Sit up bench has rotted away creating a dangerous

hazard

Chin up bar is bent

Safety None

Figure 4.2: Observational Criteria of Ballina Shire Council

Park Number 1

Falls Prevention None

Disability Access None

Complementary Classes/Programs None

Security/Surveillance Passive

Accessibility-Public Transport Minimal

Parking Yes

Amenity Toilets (males, females and disabled) (across

road in Commemoration Park)

Bubblers/Water

Yes (across road in Commemoration Park)

Seating Yes

Garbage Yes

Shade/Rain Shelter None

Lighting Minimal

Signage- Location and Instructions None

Page 12 of 37

Figure 4.3 - Ballina OGE - near Commemoration Park

Also see Figure 3 (above) for an image of the situp bench OGE.

Page 13 of 37

Byron Shire Council

Figure 5.1: Mapping of Byron Shire Council

Figure 5.2: Mapping of Byron Shire Council

Park Number 1 2 3

Location Byron Bay Byron Bay Byron Bay

Park Name/Address Cape Byron Walking

Track- Captain Cook

Car Park, Byron

Bay, NSW, 2481

Cape Byron Walking

Track- Brooke Dr,

Byron Bay, NSW,

2481

Cape Byron Walking

Track- Brooke Dr,

Byron Bay, NSW,

2481

LGA Byron Shire Council Byron Shire Council Byron Shire Council

Manufacturer Fitness Trails Fitness Trails Fitness Trails

Type of equipment Stretch bar, Achilles

stretch and leg

stretch

Step ups Push up bars,

balance beam and

bench curl

Website Presence None None None

Integration of Other

Facilities/Services

Walking/running

track and beach

Walking/running

track and beach

Walking/running

track and beach

Condition of

Equipment

Well maintained Well maintained Well maintained

Maintenance Issues None None None

Safety Safety warning as

well as fitness

recommendations

Safety warning as

well as fitness

recommendations

Safety warning as

well as fitness

recommendations

Park Number 4 5 6

Location Byron Bay Byron Bay Ocean Shores

Park

Name/Address

Cape Byron Walking

Track- Marine

Parade, Byron Bay,

NSW, 2481

Cape Byron Walking

Track- Marine

Parade, Byron Bay,

NSW, 2481

Waterlily Park-

Yamble Rd, Ocean

Shores, NSW, 2483

LGA Byron Shire Council Byron Shire Council Byron Shire Council

Manufacturer Fitness Trails Fitness Trails Forpark Australia

Type of

equipment

Chin up bars Seated dips Stepper, rowing

machine, ab-hip

swinger, ezy rider,

shoulder press/lat pull

down, butterfly press

and cross trainer

Page 14 of 37

Figure 5.3: Observational Criteria of Byron Shire Council

Park Number 1 2 3

Falls Prevention Minimal- bar for

Achilles stretch

and leg stretch

Yes- bar to hold

onto

None

Disability Access None None None

Complementary

Classes/Programs

None None None

Security/surveillance Passive Minimal passive Minimal Passive

Accessibility- public

transport

None None None

Parking Minimal Minimal Minimal

Amenity Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Bubblers/water

Yes Yes Yes

Seating Yes Yes Yes

Garbage Yes Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None None

Lighting Minimal None None

Signage- location and

instructions

No locational

signage

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Figure 5.4: Observational Criteria of Byron Shire Council

Website

Presence

None None Not on council

website

Opening event-

http://www.byron.nsw

.gov.au/newsletters/20

11/11/09/fun-in-

waterlily-park-

everybody-welcome

Integration of

Other

Facilities/Service

s

Walking/running

track and beach

Walking/running

track and beach

Playground and

sporting field (tennis

courts)

Condition of

Equipment

Well maintained Well maintained Well maintained

Maintenance

Issues

None None None

Safety Safety warning as

well as fitness

recommendations

Safety warning as

well as fitness

recommendations

Safety warning as

well as fitness

recommendations

Page 15 of 37

Park Number 4 5 6

Falls Prevention None None Minimal- bar for

stepper

Disability Access None Possible- seated

exercise with

handles

None

Complementary

Classes/Programs

None None None

Security/surveillance Minimal passive Minimal passive Minimal passive

Accessibility- public

transport

None None Minimal

Parking Yes Yes Yes

Amenity Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Bubblers/water Yes Yes Yes

Seating Yes Yes Yes

Garbage Yes Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None None

Lighting Minimal Minimal None

Signage- location and

instructions

No locational

signage

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage however

not needed

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Figure 5.5 - 'Park 1' Byron fitness trail - Stretch bar, Achilles stretch and leg stretch

Page 16 of 37

Figure 6 - 'Park 3' Byron fitness trail - Push up bars, balance beam and bench curl

Figure 7 - 'Park 5' - Byron fitness trail - seated dips

Page 17 of 37

Figure 8 - 'Park 4' Byron fitness trail - chin up bars

Figure 9 – Waterlily park – Ocean Shores

Clarence Valley Council

Figure 9.1: Mapping of Clarence Valley Council

Park

Number

1 2 3 4

Page 18 of 37

Location Iluka Yamba Yamba Yamba

Park

Name/Add

ress

Charlie Ryan

Park- Queen St

Iluka, NSW,

2466

Angourie Rd end

of Ford Park-

Wooli St, Yamba,

NSW, 2464

Ferry Wharf end

Ford Park- Wooli

St, Yamba, NSW,

2464

Hickory Island

Car Park-

Whiting Beach,

Yamba, NSW,

2471

LGA Clarence

Valley Council

Clarence Valley

Council

Clarence Valley

Council

Clarence Valley

Council

Manufactu

rer

Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-

Play or

Australasian

playgrounds)

Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-Play

or Australasian

playgrounds)

Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-

Play or

Australasian

playgrounds)

Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-

Play or

Australasian

playgrounds)

Type of

equipment

Stretch station

x 2, body twist

x 2, sit up

bench,

elliptical

trainer, aerobic

cycle x 2, pull

downs, chest

press, leg press

and body

pulls/push ups

bar

Sit up bench, leg

raises/pull ups bar,

body twist and

body pulls/push

ups bar

Aerobic cycle,

chest press, pull

downs and leg

press

Stretch station,

leg press, body

twist, body

pulls/push ups

bar and chest

press

Website

Presence

News Articles-

https://www.da

ilyexaminer.co

m.au/news/ne

w-outdoor-

exercise-

equipment-at-

iluka-is-

drawing/19392

06/

Council Website-

https://www.claren

ce.nsw.gov.au/cp_t

hemes/metro/page.

asp?p=DOC-XZI-

30-52-61

News Articles-

https://www.dailye

xaminer.com.au/ne

ws/haupt-lead-

demo-yambas-new-

exercise-

equipment/229177

6/

Council Website-

https://www.clare

nce.nsw.gov.au/c

p_themes/metro/p

age.asp?p=DOC-

XZI-30-52-61

News Articles-

https://www.daily

examiner.com.au/

news/haupt-lead-

demo-yambas-

new-exercise-

equipment/22917

76/

Not on Council

Website

News Articles-

https://www.dail

yexaminer.com.a

u/news/haupt-

lead-demo-

yambas-new-

exercise-

equipment/22917

76/

Integration

of Other

Facilities/

Services

Walking/runni

ng track,

playground,

river, rowing

club,

Walking/running

track

Walking/running

track

Walking/running

track and beach

Condition

of

Equipment

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Page 19 of 37

Maintenan

ce Issues

None None None None

Safety Safety warning

on complex

(machine)

equipment

Age range on

all equipment

Instructions

and method on

all equipment

Safety warning on

complex (machine)

equipment

Age range on all

equipment

Instructions and

method on all

equipment

Safety warning on

complex

(machine)

equipment

Age range on all

equipment

Instructions and

method on all

equipment

Safety warning

on complex

(machine)

equipment

Age range on all

equipment

Instructions and

method on all

equipment

Figure 9.2: Observational Criteria of Clarence Valley Council

Park Number 1 2 3 4

Falls Prevention Minimal-

Stretch station

with bar, body

twist with bar

Minimal-

Body twist

with bar

None Minimal-

Stretch station

with bar, body

twist with bar

Disability Access None None None None

Complementary

Classes/Programs

None None None None

Security/surveillance Minimal

passive

Passive Passive Minimal

passive

Accessibility- public

transport

Minimal Yes Yes Minimal

Parking Yes Yes Yes Yes

Amenity Toilets

(males,

females,

disabled and

parents

changeroom)

Toilets

(males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets

(males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets

(males,

females and

disabled)

Bubblers/water

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Seating Yes Yes Yes Yes

Garbage Yes Yes Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None None None

Lighting Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal

Signage- location and

instructions

No locational

signage

however not

needed

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Locational

signage

present

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Locational

signage

present

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Locational

signage

present

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Page 20 of 37

Figure 9.3 - Iluka OGE - Charlie Ryan Park

Figure 10 - 'Park 3' Yamba OGE - aerobic cycle, chest press, pull downs and leg press

Page 21 of 37

Figure 11 - 'Park 2' Yamba OGE - Sit up bench, leg raises/pull ups bar, body twist and body pulls/push ups bar

Figure 12 - 'Park 4' Yamba OGE - Stretch station, leg press, body twist, body pulls/push ups bar and chest press

Kyogle Shire Council

Figure 13.1: Mapping of Kyogle Shire Council

Park

Number

1 2

Location Kyogle Woodenbong

Page 22 of 37

Park

Name/Ad

dress

Anzac Park- Anzac Dr, Kyogle, NSW, 2474 Next to swimming pool- Mt

Lindesay Rd, Woodenbong,

NSW, 2476

LGA Kyogle Shire Council Kyogle Shire Council

Manufactu

rer

Imagination Play Fit-For-Parks (division of A-

Play or Australasian

playgrounds)

Type of

equipment

Lat pull down (for wheelchair and standing),

chest press, upper and lower body warm up,

arm push, arm swing, arm extension

Sit up bar, leg raises/pull ups

bar, leg press, body pulls/push

ups bar, chest press, aerobic

cycle and pull downs

Website

Presence

Council Website-

http://www.visitkyogle.com.au/index.php/th

ings_to_do_details/anzac_park/

News Articles-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FubMQ

K1ijNo&t=3s

Not on council website

News Articles-

https://www.northernstar.com.

au/news/woodenbong-skates-

its-way-into-the-hearts-of-

local/2872363/

Integratio

n of Other

Facilities/

Services

Playground, sports field (netball court),

skate park

Swimming pool, basketball

court, skate park

Condition

of

Equipmen

t

Well maintained Excellent

Maintenan

ce Issues

None None

Safety Age range and safety instructions on all

equipment

Safety warning on complex

(machine) equipment

Age range on all equipment

Instructions and method on all

equipment

Figure 13.2: Observational Criteria of Kyogle Shire Council

Kyogle 1 2

Falls Prevention Minimal however not

particularly needed for

disability exercises

None

Disability Access All equipment tailored

specifically for

disabilities

None

Complementary Classes/Programs None None

Security/surveillance Passive Passive

Accessibility- public transport None None

Parking Yes Yes

Page 23 of 37

Amenity Toilets (males and

females only)

Toilets (males, females

and disabled)

Bubblers/water

Yes None

Seating Yes None

Garbage Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None

Lighting Minimal Minimal

Signage- location and instructions No locational signage

however not needed

Instructions- detailed on

all equipment

No locational signage

however not needed

Instructions- detailed on

all equipment

Figure 13.3 - Kyogle OGE - ANZAC park

Page 24 of 37

Figure 14 - Woodenbong OGE

Lismore City Council

Figure 15.1: Mapping of Lismore City Council

Park Number 1 2

Location South Lismore Goonellabah

Park

Name/Addres

s

Nesbitt Park- Casino St South

Lismore, NSW, 2480

Clifford Park- Cassia Cres,

Goonellabah, NSW, 2480

LGA Lismore City Council Lismore City Council

Manufacturer Proludic Australia Fit-For-Parks (division of A-Play or

Australasian playgrounds)

Type of

equipment

Station 1- Exercise bike, rowing

machine

Station 2- warming up spot

markers x2 (knee chest, body

extension), PS espalier double

(senior metal) aka climbing

frame, PS Haies (senior) aka

hurdles, balance beam (senior

and junior), grab bar set

(dips/push ups), fixed bar (chin

ups)

Leg press, pull downs, chest press, sit-

up bench, push up bar, step ups, body

dips, multi bars (chin ups)

Website

Presence

Not on council website

News Articles-

https://www.northernstar.com.au/

news/fly-high-on-dirt-

track/2746185/

Not on council website

News Articles-

https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/file.a

sp?g=RES-NFU-23-17-88

Page 25 of 37

Integration of

Other

Facilities/Ser

vices

Playground, sports fields (cricket

nets/oval, soccer fields,

basketball court, bmx track),

walking/running track

Playground, sports field (football

oval), running/walking track

Condition of

Equipment

Excellent Excellent

Maintenance

Issues

None None

Safety Age range on simple equipment

(however hidden on

manufacturer sign)

Intensity and method on complex

equipment (machines)

Safety warning on complex (machine)

equipment

Age range on all equipment

Instructions and method on all

equipment

Figure 15.2: Observational Criteria of Lismore City Council

Park Number 1 2

Falls Prevention Yes- balance beam

however no bar to hold

onto

Yes- Step ups however

no bar to hold onto

Disability Access Minimal- Chin up bar

could be used

Minimal- Chin up bar

could be used

Complementary Classes/Programs None None

Security/surveillance Passive Minimal passive

Accessibility- public transport Minimal Minimal

Parking Yes Yes

Amenity Toilets (males, females,

disabled and parents

changeroom)

Toilets (males, females

and disabled)

Bubblers/water Yes Yes

Seating Yes Yes

Garbage Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None

Lighting None None

Signage- location and instructions No locational signage

Instructions- diagrams

on simple equipment,

detailed on complex

equipment

No locational signage

however not needed

Instructions- diagrams

on simple equipment,

detailed on complex

equipment

Page 26 of 37

Figure 15.3 - Goonellebah OGE - Clifford Park

Figure 16 - South Lismore OGE - Nesbitt Park

Page 27 of 37

Figure 17- South Lismore OGE - Nesbitt Park

Richmond Valley Council

Figure 18.1: Mapping of Richmond Valley Council

Park Number 1 2 3

Location Evans Head Evans Head Evans Head

Park

Name/Address

Beach Street Footpath-

Beech St, Evans Head,

NSW, 2473

Footpath between

Beech St Wall and

Park St Kiosk

Ocean Drive Footpath-

Ocean Drive, Evans

Head, 2473

LGA Richmond Valley

Council

Richmond Valley

Council

Richmond Valley

Council

Manufacturer Forpark Australia Forpark Australia Forpark Australia

Type of

equipment

Sit-up Board Sit-up Board Sit-up Board

Website Presence None None None

Integration of

Other

Facilities/Services

Running/walking/cycle

track

Running/walking/cycle

track, skate park,

beach, river, basketball

court

Running/walking/cycle

track, playground

Condition of

Equipment

Well maintained Well maintained Well maintained

Page 28 of 37

Maintenance

Issues

None None Sign is bent and hard

to read

Safety None None None

Figure 18.2: Observational Criteria of Richmond Valley Council

Park Number 1 2 3

Falls Prevention None None None

Disability Access None None None

Complementary

Classes/Programs

None None None

Security/surveillance Minimal passive Passive

Security camera

Minimal passive

Accessibility- public

transport

Minimal Minimal Minimal

Parking Yes Yes Yes

Amenity Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

however approx

800m away

Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets (males,

females and

disabled)

Bubblers/water

None Yes (at Kiosk and

Surf Club)

Yes

Seating None Yes Yes

Garbage None Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None None

Lighting None Minimal Minimal

Signage- location and

instructions

No locational

signage however

not needed

Instructions-

simple on all

equipment

No locational

signage however

not needed

Instructions-

simple on all

equipment

No locational

signage however

not needed

Instructions-

simple on all

equipment

Page 29 of 37

Figure 18.3 - Evans Head OGE

Tweed Shire Council

Figure 19.1: Mapping of Tweed Shire Council

Park Number 1 2 3 4

Location Tweed Heads Kingscliff Kingscliff Kingscliff

Park

Name/Addres

s

Along pathway

opposite The

Tweed Hospital-

Keith Compton

Dr, Tweed

Heads, 2485

North part of

Jack Bayliss

Park- Marine

Parade,

Kingscliff,

NSW, 2487

Middle part of

Jack Bayliss

Park- Marine

Parade,

Kingscliff,

NSW, 2487

South part of

Jack Bayliss

Park- Marine

Parade,

Kingscliff, NSW,

2487

LGA Tweed Shire

Council

Tweed Shire

Council

Tweed Shire

Council

Tweed Shire

Council

Manufacturer Unknown Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-

Play or

Australasian

playgrounds)

Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-

Play or

Australasian

playgrounds)

Fit-For-Parks

(division of A-

Play or

Australasian

playgrounds)

Type of

equipment

Vertical jump,

parallel bar

Stretch station,

leg press, leg

Stretch station,

body twist, sit

Leg press, pull

downs, chest

Page 30 of 37

walk, sit up

bench and

unknown

equipment

raises/pull ups

bar, body twist

and body

pulls/push ups

bar

up bench, pull

downs, elliptical

trainer

press, leg

raises/pull ups

bar and body

pulls/push ups

bar

Website

Presence

None Not on council

website

News Articles-

http://starcomm

unity.com.au/top

-stories/2013-

05-30/new-

exercise-

stations-for-

bayliss-park/

Not on council

website

News Articles-

http://starcomm

unity.com.au/top

-stories/2013-

05-30/new-

exercise-

stations-for-

bayliss-park/

Not on council

website

News Articles-

http://starcommu

nity.com.au/top-

stories/2013-05-

30/new-exercise-

stations-for-

bayliss-park/

Integration of

Other

Facilities/Ser

vices

Walking/runnin

g track and river

Walking/runnin

g track,

playground and

beach

Walking/runnin

g track,

playground and

beach

Walking/running

track, playground

and beach

Condition of

Equipment

Poor Excellent Excellent Excellent

Maintenance

Issues

Wood is rotted

creating several

dangerous

hazards

None None None

Safety None Safety warning

on complex

(machine)

equipment

Age range on all

equipment

Instructions and

method on all

equipment

Safety warning

on complex

(machine)

equipment

Age range on all

equipment

Instructions and

method on all

equipment

Safety warning

on complex

(machine)

equipment

Age range on all

equipment

Instructions and

method on all

equipment

Figure 19.2: Observational Criteria of Tweed Shire Council

Park Number 1 2 3 4

Falls Prevention Yes-

Parallel bar

walk

Minimal-

Stretch station

with bar, body

twist with bar

Minimal-

Stretch station

with bar, body

twist with bar

None

Disability Access None None None None

Complementary

Classes/Programs

None None None None

Page 31 of 37

Security/surveillance Passive Passive Passive Passive

Accessibility- public

transport

Yes Minimal Minimal Minimal

Parking Yes Yes Yes Yes

Amenity None Toilets

(males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets

(males,

females and

disabled)

Toilets

(males,

females and

disabled)

Bubblers/water

None Yes Yes Yes

Seating Yes Yes Yes Yes

Garbage Yes Yes Yes Yes

Shade/rain shelter None None None None

Lighting Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal

Signage- location and

instructions

No locational

signage

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage

however not

needed

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage

however not

needed

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

No locational

signage

however not

needed

Instructions-

detailed on all

equipment

Figure 19.3 - Tweed OGE - John Follent Park

Page 32 of 37

Figure 20 - Kingscliff OGE - Jack Bayliss Park

Recommendations

This report has been created to map the OGE equipment across the Northern Rivers in order

to promote options for physical activity, particularly older people and those in an unhealthy

weight range. By creating a healthy built environment through the implementation of OGE

within the Northern Rivers, the LGAs are able to increase physical activity participation and

therefore directly affect the risk of chronic diseases such as CVD, cancer and diabetes, as

well as preventing other possible causes of mortality and morbidity through the prevention of

falls. Additionally, OGE have the potential to improve LGAs by increasing social

cohesiveness and neighbourhood connections, increasing physical activity education,

increasing the tourism and visual experiences of a community, increasing use of built

environments and public infrastructure (5) (6) (7).

To allow for OGE to be best utilised within the Northern Rivers, a few changes need to be

implemented:

An increase in the number of and an improvement of the quality of OGE. This is

especially important in coastal areas where OGEs are widely used by residents and

visitors.

A significant increase in the website presence of OGE on each respective LGA

website. This could be done by adding current park information (such as name,

location and type) on easily accessed parts of these websites. Other LGA websites

may be useful as an example:

Brisbane City Council-

Page 33 of 37

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/sports-leisure/exercise-

equipment-

parks?utm_source=corphome&utm_medium=mega_nav&utm_term=-

&utm_content=image-

version&utm_campaign=mega_fr_sl_parks_exercise_equipment

Woollahra Municipal Council-

http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/recreation/fitness_training/exercise_equipm

ent_in_parks

Free instructional fitness sessions using the OGE. Providing such sessions may

increase participation rates resulting in an increase in physical activity rates (5)

Adding equipment which can be used for simple strength and balance exercise to

provide for falls prevention activities including balance pattern stencils on the ground

or balance bars / grab rails

Further use

This report may be useful in outlining the selection criteria of location, type and features of

updates to current OGE in the Northern Rivers or for use in the creation and implementation

of new OGE. Additionally, this report may be useful in shaping any further OGE studies.

Lack of information, online, from Council staff/members, or from community members, may

have impacted the mapping of the OGE and therefore impacted on the accuracy of this report.

Page 34 of 37

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia’s health 2014. Australia’s health

series no.14. Cat. no. AUS 178. Canberra: AIHW

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Australian Health Survey: Physical Activity,

2011-12. ABC Cat. No. 4364.0.55.004. Canberra: ABS.

3. WHO. Global recommendations on physical activity for health. World Health

Organization, Geneva; 2010

4. Kidsafe. Outdoor gyms, fact sheet. June 2014

5. Tavener-Smith K. People’s Perceptions of the Benefit of the Outdoor Gym Equipment

and ‘Come And Try’ Sessions. Health Promotion Service Illawarra Shoalhaven Local

Health District; 2015.

6. Veitch, J., et al., Is park visitation associated with leisure-time and transportation

physical activity? Prev. Med. (2013).

7. Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, Sherrington C, Gates S, Clemson LM,

Lamb SE. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD007146.

8. Saelens, B. E. and Handy, S. 2008. Built environment correlates of walking: A

review. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40(S): S550–S567.

9. Physical Activity Taskforce Built Environment Advisory Committee. Built

Environment Research & Reference List. Government of Western Australia; 2011.

10. The Heart Foundation’s National Physical Activity Advisory Committee. Position

statement: The built environment and walking. National Heart Foundation of

Australia, 2009

11. Healthy Built Environments [Internet]. NSW Government Health. 2015 [cited 3 May

2017]. Available from: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/urbanhealth/Pages/default.aspx

12. Petherick, D 2010, National Outdoor Strategy 2009-2012 March 2010, Outdoor

Council of Australia, Sydney

13. Jenkins, J 2004, Encyclopaedia of Leisure and Outdoor Recreation, Routledge, New

York.

14. Caldwell E. Let’s Get Physical: Planning for Outdoor Gyms in Sydney.

Undergraduate thesis, UNSW [cited 2017 May 3]. Available from:

Page 35 of 37

http://www.be.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/upload/pdf/cf/hbep/research/Theses/Elle

nCaldwellThesis.pdf

15. Health Promotion Service. NSW Coastline Cycleway North Coast Survey. Northern

NSW Local Health District Lismore; 2012.

16. Richard G. Prins, F. J. van Lenthe; The hour-to-hour influence of weather conditions

on walking and cycling among Dutch older adults. Age Ageing 2015; 44 (5): 886-

890.

Appendices

Outdoor Gym Location Template

Council Contact Location Photos

Ballina Shire

Byron Shire

Clarence Valley

Kyogle Shire

Lismore City

Richmond Valley

Tweed Shire

Mapping Template

Park Number 1 2 3 4

Location

Park

Name/Address

Page 36 of 37

LGA

Manufacturer

Type of equipment

Website Presence

Integration of

Other

Facilities/Services

Condition of

Equipment

Maintenance

Issues

Safety

Observational Criteria Template

Park Number 1 2 3 4

Falls Prevention

Disability Access

Complementary

Classes/Programs

Security/surveillance

Accessibility- public

transport

Parking

Amenity

Bubblers/water

Seating

Garbage

Shade/rain shelter

Page 37 of 37

Lighting

Signage- location and

instructions