NEWS RELEASE
28 May 2008
New fitness trail opens at revamped Karori Park
Users of Karori Park can now improve their strength and fitness on exercise equipment installed on a fitness trial
around the park, courtesy of the Karori Primary Health Organisation (PHO).
Dr Jeff Lowe from the Karori PHO says the primary purpose of the PHO is to promote good health. “Rather than just
offering words encouraging people to get fit, we’ve decided to provide the people of Karori with the exercise equipment
to work out on,” he says.
The equipment will be placed at ‘exercise stations’ on the running track around the edge of the park. “It’s robust
equipment designed to stand outside in all weathers,” says Dr Lowe. “It’s well made and brightly coloured. The idea was
to be appealing: we want to make people pay attention and have a go.”
The Council’s Economic Development and Recreation Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, is thrilled with the new
equipment. “This is great news for the people who use Karori Park. Having free access to exercise equipment in a safe,
pleasant environment makes it easier for people to get fit and stay fit, and Wellington City Council thanks the Karori
PHO for providing this equipment.”
“The 1 km running track circuit was opened last year as part of the $4.2 million revamp of Karori Park. It’s already
proving popular with locals and the new exercise equipment means Karori Park will offer more to the community,” says
Councillor Morrison.
Two of the stations have dynamic or moving equipment – an ‘elliptical’ or Nordic trainer and a ‘rider’ that exercises
arms and legs – and the other three stations have static equipment for pull-ups, tricep dips and step-ups. Safety
matting has been laid at each exercise station and interpretation signs will be installed over the coming months.
“We’ve set up five exercise stations and there’s the possibility we will expand it, if people use it,” says Dr Lowe.
As part of the ongoing park upgrade, the Council has added a dog exercise area at the back of the park, along with a new
outdoor drinking fountain and bottle-filling tap at the back of the main pavillion. The upgrade has also included new
toilets, improved drainage, car parking facilities and plantings. Karori Park offers access to the Wahine tramping track
and the Skyline Walkway.
More information about Karori Park is available on the Council’s website www.Wellington.govt.nz
ENDS