We, the local residents, families, sports enthusiasts, and regular park users, are stepping forward to formally call upon Birmingham City Council to listen to our community and install free outdoor gym and calisthenics equipment—such as multi-height pull-up bars, parallel dip bars, push-up stations, and bodyweight fitness frames—right here in Ward End Park (B8).

Ward End Park is a massive and cherished part of daily life in East Birmingham, serving as a brilliant green space where families take weekend walks, children run around the play areas, and neighbors catch up in the fresh air. However, despite being so heavily relied upon by the local community, the park is missing something really important for the health and vitality of our neighborhood: a proper, dedicated place for people of all ages to exercise, build strength, and stay active outdoors. While our open grass areas and walking paths are wonderful, the park currently offers zero facilities for anyone who wants to do a pull-up, work on their fitness, or train outside.

With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis hitting families harder than ever and commercial gym membership prices going completely through the roof, keeping fit has sadly become a luxury that a huge number of people in the B8 area simply cannot afford. Having free, high-quality outdoor fitness gear right in the heart of Ward End Park would completely change that reality, giving everyone—from teenagers and working adults to older residents wanting to stay mobile—a fair, open, and welcoming chance to look after their physical and mental health without ever having to worry about spending a single penny.

On top of helping adults and families stay healthy, installing a calisthenics area would make a massive, transformative difference for our local youth. Right now, local teenagers often have very few places to go and limited positive outlets in their spare time. A dedicated outdoor gym gives them a brilliant, constructive space to hang out, train together, learn new skills, and focus their energy on self-improvement and physical wellbeing. Furthermore, outdoor workout spots naturally bring people together across different backgrounds, increase day-to-day footfall, and make the park feel much busier, brighter, and safer for every single person using it.

We know all too well that East Birmingham has historically missed out on the kind of modern leisure and wellness investments seen in other parts of the city, and our local parks deserve so much better. We strongly urge Birmingham City Council to step up, use available park improvement funds, public health grants, or Section 106 contributions from local developments, and get this essential calisthenics equipment built in Ward End Park so our community finally has the modern, healthy facilities it desperately needs and deserves.