We wanted to know how the community around Powlett Reserve prefers to exercise, whether outdoor exercise equipment would support their health and fitness, what type of equipment would be most useful, and where in Powlett Reserve they would like outdoor exercise equipment located.

We consulted with the community from 8 March to 5 April 2022.

We engaged online through a survey and at a pop-up event in the park where community members shared their equipment preferences and marked their preferred location for outdoor exercise equipment on a map of Powlett Reserve.

Patterns of exercise

• People are most likely to exercise in the morning, between 5am and 12pm (70 respondents out of 139).
• People are also more likely to exercise alone, as opposed to with friends, family or a group.
• 98 out of 139 said are highly likely (61) or somewhat likely (37) to use outdoor exercise equipment.
• 54 out of 139 said they are highly likely (28) or somewhat likely (26) to use outdoor exercise equipment targeted at senior users to improve mobility, dexterity, balance and strength. While 45 people said they were highly unlikely to use outdoor exercise equipment targeted at seniors.
• Fitness was the most common primary motivation people had for exercising (83 respondents out of 139)

Preferred types of equipment

• Static equipment (monkey bars and other) was most commonly chosen, followed by cross training equipment. Dynamic equipment (chest press or bikes) was the third most popular type of equipment.
• Seniors’ equipment was selected by significantly fewer respondents than other options, (likely because of the proportion of respondents in this age bracket.)

Refer to the infographic for full details on preferred type of equipment.

Likelihood that the community would regularly use outdoor exercise equipment in Powlett Reserve

• 98 out of 139 said are highly likely (61) or somewhat likely (37) to use outdoor exercise equipment
• 54 out of 139 said they are highly likely (28) or somewhat likely (26) to use outdoor exercise equipment targeted at senior users to improve mobility, dexterity, balance and strength. While 45 people said they were highly unlikely to use outdoor exercise equipment targeted at seniors.

As a result of this consultation, Council has identified that the community around Powlett Reserve is supportive of outdoor exercise equipment being installed. The preferred locations for outdoor exercise equipment have been identified and the preferred type of equipment noted.

A funding application has recently been approved and Council will proceed with installation of the outdoor exercise equipment this year. Finalised plans will be shared in the coming months.