Parktown's Pieter Roos Park gets an outdoor green gym

06 July 2017

 

Residents of Parktown and surrounding areas, including the fringes of the Johannesburg inner city, will now be able to keep fit, trim and healthy without the hassle of private gym contracts and exorbitant gym fees.

 

This is thanks to 702, a leading Johannesburg-based talk radio station, which has donated a R120 000 outdoor green gym to the Pieter Roos Park in Parktown in Region B.

This is the third outdoor green gym 702 has donated to the Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo (JCPZ), the custodian of the City of Johannesburg’s green lungs, over the past few years. The other two are at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia and the Sir Lionel Phillips Park in Greenside.

“We are thrilled that our ongoing partnership with 702 has yielded another positive contribution to Johannesburg’s outdoor environment,” Louise Gordon, JCPZ’s Executive Director of New Business Development, said during the launch of the outdoor green gym on Tuesday July 4.

“I’d like to salute the organisers of the annual MTN 702 Walk the Talk for fostering healthy lifestyles in Johannesburg.”

This year’s MTN 702 Walk the Talk will take place on Sunday July 23.

The donation includes the supply of exercise material, including resistance training equipment and a spinning bike.
The outdoor green gym at the Pieter Roos Park brings to 28 the total number of such gyms across the city. These includes ones at Tladi Park in Soweto, Rotunda Park in Turffontein, Metro Park in Newtown, Kremetart Park in Eldorado Park and Porcupine Park in Claremont.

JCPZ spokesperson Jenny Moodley said bringing outdoor gyms to open spaces added “immense value” to nearby communities. “Not only do the green gyms encourage people to go back to the parks, but they also instil civic pride and keep our citizens fit. We wish to thank 702 for their donation and encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors.”

702 Digital Manager Gary Oberholtzer said bringing green gyms to Johannesburg’s green lungs encouraged and promoted a healthy lifestyle.

“One of our flagship events promotes exercising in the outdoors. This park and its green gym are located along the MTN 702 Walk the Talk route. It’s a great way to encourage the citizens of Johannesburg to adopt and lead healthy lifestyles,” said Oberholtzer.

The public are urged to report the misuse or vandalism of park infrastructure to 011 712 6600.