Outdoor fitness stations coming to three parks in this Ontario city

Outdoor fitness stations are coming to three neighbourhood parks in Pickering, one of the results from the city’s first-ever participatory budget process.

Council recently approved the contract to bring outdoor fitness stations to East Woodlands Park, Alex Robertson Park and Glengrove Park, with one location in each of Pickering’s three wards. Construction is expected to begin later this summer, with the equipment ready for use by the end of the year.

Residents were invited to help decide how a portion of the budget should be invested in neighbourhood improvements during 2025 budget deliberations. Outdoor fitness equipment was identified as the top-ranked project category among several options designed to support quality of life, active living and community well-being. Residents also considered dog park enhancements, a shade structure with outdoor gathering space, urban street furniture or opting out of funding these neighbourhood projects entirely.

“Residents told us they wanted more opportunities to stay active and enjoy their neighbourhood parks, and we listened,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe. “Through Pickering’s first participatory budget process, the community helped shape this investment, and it’s exciting to see their vision now becoming a reality.”

The outdoor fitness equipment budget of up to $300,000 was funded through casino revenues.