Work-out in Whittington Park

10.59.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Jul 2008

A new outdoor gym has been opened in Whittington Park by local Junction ward councillors Ursula Woolley and Stefan Kasprzyk, who welcomed the latest improvement to their local park. The unusual and innovative equipment brings indoor gym machines outdoors, and will let all park users and local residents have a free workout.

The equipment includes a cross trainer, chest press, leg press, and chin-up bars - perfect for exercising in the fresh air.

Ursula tries out the new exercise equipment

Local councillor Ursula Woolley said:

"I love these new machines. They are a really unusual addition to a park, but there is already a great playground here and this new equipment is something that adults and teenagers can come and enjoy.

"This is just the latest improvement to Whittington Park. A wildlife pond is under construction and new changing rooms are in the pipeline. This will also be the first park in Islington to have our new 'play ranger' patrols, an extra uniformed adult presence to help young people and their parents feel safe in our park and 8-year-olds and over play out safely on their own."

The machines were paid for by Balfour Beatty, the construction company contracted to rebuild Islington's schools, working in partnership with Islington council and the Friends of Whittington Park group.

Ursula added:

"As a local councillor I want to thank Balfour Beatty for supporting this new gym equipment. It goes to show what can be achieved when the council works hand-in-hand with private businesses and local community groups."