Every person in Ireland deserves free access to exercise.
Ireland is known for its beautiful parks, green spaces and strong sense of community. Yet in many towns and villages there is something surprisingly absent: free outdoor fitness facilities where people can build strength, improve their health and stay active without paying for a gym membership.

For thousands of people, especially teenagers, students, young families and older adults, there are simply no pull-up bars, parallel bars or outdoor workout stations within walking distance of home. Those who cannot afford a gym membership are left with very few opportunities for strength training in their local community.

Access to physical activity should never depend on income.

Outdoor fitness parks are one of the most affordable and effective investments a community can make. A small area equipped with pull-up bars, parallel bars, monkey bars and bodyweight training stations can serve hundreds of people every week while requiring relatively little maintenance over many years.

These facilities are used by children learning to be active, teenagers looking for healthy ways to spend their free time, adults improving their fitness and older people maintaining strength, balance and independence. They create inclusive public spaces where people of all ages can exercise together, free of charge.

The need for accessible physical activity has never been greater.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, anxiety and depression while improving overall physical and mental wellbeing. However, 31% of adults and around 80% of adolescents worldwide do not achieve the recommended levels of physical activity. WHO also estimates that physical inactivity could cost health-care systems approximately US$300 billion between 2020 and 2030 if current trends continue. (⁠ВООЗ)

Creating opportunities for people to be active close to home is one of the simplest ways to help address this challenge.

Many European countries have already recognised the value of outdoor fitness parks and have invested in modern calisthenics and exercise areas as part of everyday public infrastructure. Ireland should do the same.

We therefore call upon the Government of Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Health, Sport Ireland, and every County and City Council to establish a nationwide programme for the installation of free outdoor fitness parks in every town and village.

Every new outdoor fitness area should include:

• Pull-up bars of different heights;
• Parallel bars;
• Monkey bars;
• Climbing ladders and Swedish walls;
• Push-up and dip stations;
• Core training benches;
• Balance and mobility equipment;
• Durable safety surfacing;
• Instruction boards explaining exercises suitable for beginners and experienced users.

Priority should be given to installing these facilities in public parks, playgrounds, schools (where appropriate), green spaces and residential neighbourhoods so that they are freely accessible throughout the year.

This is not an expensive luxury.

It is an investment in public health.

It is an investment in prevention rather than treatment.

It is an investment in stronger communities, healthier children, more active teenagers, healthier adults and independent older people.

Every child should have the opportunity to discover the joy of physical activity close to home.

Every teenager should have access to safe, positive places to be active with friends.

Every adult should be able to improve their health without financial barriers.

Every older person should have opportunities to maintain strength and mobility for as long as possible.

A healthier Ireland begins with accessible opportunities for everyday exercise.

If you believe that every town and village in Ireland should provide free outdoor fitness facilities for everyone, regardless of age or income, please sign this petition and help make this vision a reality.

 
Evidence
World Health Organization – Physical Activity (Fact Sheet)

• Regular physical activity improves physical and mental health.
• Adults should complete at least 150–300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, together with muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days per week.
• 31% of adults and around 80% of adolescents worldwide do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
• Physical inactivity is projected to cost global health-care systems approximately US$300 billion between 2020 and 2030. (⁠ВООЗ)