Convincing city council to build me a gym

[gbbi_977]

OK, this is a bit of a random thought that I had, but people here seem to like weird money-saving ideas so here it is:

DH and I workout 5 times a week, mostly doing body weight training (startbodyweight.com is the website I've been using for the last few months - have lost 10 pounds!)

I am loving it - but there are some limitations when you don't have any equipment - most importantly, somewhere to do pull-ups.

Now I know I could put a bar up in my home somewhere, but we're in a 900 sq. ft condo and space is limited. There are no outdoor areas suitable.

So I got to thinking...maybe I could petition the city to put some outdoor exercise equipment in the park across the street! Nothing crazy, you've all seen them - usually consist of a pull-up bar or two, dip bench, parallel bars. Hear me out...

- we're in a mixed neighborhood, with heaps of condos, apartments and houses within easy walking distance of this park - so I reckon an exercise circuit would get heaps of use

 - there are plenty of other parks nearby with playgrounds, this particular park doesn't have anything for the kiddos but I don't see a need for a playground given that there are at least 5 within a 2 block radius

- [sidenote: I know you can do pull-ups etc. using playground equipment - but that seems to weird people out when there are kids around playing]

- surely there's a city council budget for 'public improvements' - so I'm wondering if I could put together a convincing argument for putting just a teeny bit of those funds towards some outdoor exercise equipment, which would be good for the health of the community and of course (I'm not pretending to be altruistic - this is a selfish idea!) for yours truly

Has anyone got any suggestions for how I could go about this? Experience? Ideas? For what it's worth, I'm in Evanston IL, a fairly affluent north shore city... but not necessarily looking for Evanston-specific info.

[iknowiyam]

Selfish to you, but it may really help others who want to get outside! I bet this would gain support if you started talking to neighbors about it.

[TheOldestYoungMan]

When I was a kid my dad got together with other dads and built the playground equipment.  They got materials and stuff donated, it was always really neat equipment, custom built to be fun by people who really cared.  Stuff is still there being played on to this day.

They didn't ask anyone for permission, they just did it.

I'd put up some fliers or post on a community message board somewhere to see if anyone else is interested, and then just start building what you want.

[Bob W]

Should be a slam dunk if you've got the time.  Talk with your city (planner, mayor whatever).    They will be receptive.   Many states like in Missouri have DNR grants or in our state we have the Missouri Foundation for Health as well.   These entities often give money for Par Courses,  walking trails and general fitness stuff.  The City may need to match.   You could also seek funding from a local hospital who could put their brand on it.    If you can get your neighbors on board as in kind labor that may help as well.   I can't imagine that the total cost of equipment would be over 5K. 

Sure it is doable.   There is also the foundation directory available at many public libraries and on line (for a cost) which can point you in directions for grant money. 

But definitely start with finding a group of 3-5 people with a similar interest in the area.  Then find out who has power over this sort of thing.   It sounds like you are in a big city so there should be a park planning document in place. 

[GuitarStv]

I'd do my pullups on the playground equipment that's already there.  It seems like a waste of time and money to build something redundant for adults when the only problem with using the existing stuff is social stigma.

[Freida]

Great idea- good luck!

[gbbi_977]

I'd do my pullups on the playground equipment that's already there.  It seems like a waste of time and money to build something redundant for adults when the only problem with using the existing stuff is social stigma.

I definitely see your point - thanks for the feedback. But I wouldn't say it's as simple as just social stigma - I mean, playgrounds are for the kids and if a bunch of adults started regularly using them as pull-up equipment, that decreases the utility for children. I guess what I'm saying is, if it's more than just DH and I who would use outdoor fitness equipment regularly, and I think given the place I'm in that's probably a given, then I think there's a case to be made to the city for putting up some relatively inexpensive equipment specifically for that purpose so that kiddos get their playground without having to share with big, sweaty grown-ups, and grown-ups get a helping hand in getting fit.

[cerebus]

This is a fantastic idea. I saw an area in Green Point in Cape Town recently where they'd set up some outdoors gym equipment in the parks, and basically constructed an exercise path where you could do part running and then stop and do a round of body weight exercises. I'd use that every day if they had it in my area.

[Retired To Win]

Go to the county parks department with your idea.  It might really help if you had some backup material for them, such as equipment type, source and cost.  And maybe an offer of volunteer labor to get it set up.

Good luck.

[LalsConstant]

I'd do my pullups on the playground equipment that's already there.  It seems like a waste of time and money to build something redundant for adults when the only problem with using the existing stuff is social stigma.

Many places I have been post upper age limits on the equipment fwiw.

[gbbi_977]

Quick update.

I contacted the city council and was given the name of the guy in charge of Parks and Recreation. I emailed him, and he told me to come along to a Parks & Rec Board meeting - held once a month, open to the public.

So I went along last Thursday, with a handout I'd prepared that basically put forward the proposal - a low-cost proposal to revitalize an underutilized park in an under-served corner of [city]. I included a one-sentence summary, and bullet points on WHAT [phased installation of outdoor exercise equipment], WHERE [a certain park, opposite a mental health home so some concern in community in past at amount of smoking that goes on there - accordingly not a great location for playground], WHY [to encourage fitness, because we don't have anything nearby, to attract adults to the park (the mental health facility residents use the park a lot which is great, but it would be great to have other residents using it too] thus increasing safety/sense of community, inclusivity (something the care residents can use, and all other residents regardless of income]. Also mentioned estimated costs, and included photos of the park and proposed equipment.

The board said they really liked the idea, they agree the park is underused and it is scheduled for capital improvements in 2016, and they agree that exercise equipment would be a good use of that earmarked money. So I will keep following-up, and be sure to be at the meeting where they decide what to spend the money on so I can remind them of my idea :)

[StacheInAFlash]

Quick update.

I contacted the city council and was given the name of the guy in charge of Parks and Recreation. I emailed him, and he told me to come along to a Parks & Rec Board meeting - held once a month, open to the public.

Man...if you haven't yet watched the (now finished) series Parks and Recreation, now would be the time to start. This has got Season 1, Episode 1 all over it. I'll be following this topic to help ease the withdrawals I'm having with the show being finished. Best of luck in getting your park/gym!

[Lis]

Quick update.

I contacted the city council and was given the name of the guy in charge of Parks and Recreation. I emailed him, and he told me to come along to a Parks & Rec Board meeting - held once a month, open to the public.

Man...if you haven't yet watched the (now finished) series Parks and Recreation, now would be the time to start. This has got Season 1, Episode 1 all over it. I'll be following this topic to help ease the withdrawals I'm having with the show being finished. Best of luck in getting your park/gym!

YEEEESSSSSSS. SUCH AN AMAZING SHOW.

Bumping to follow because this is actually really interesting. The park I went to growing up had four different little play grounds, including one really boring one that didn't have slides or anything cool but had a lot of pictures of people in funny positions. It took me far longer than I care to admit (well into adulthood) to realize that that particular 'playground' was actually for adults to use for real people exercise.

Best of luck to you! And if you run into Leslie Knope, say hi!

[Outlier]

Quick update.

I contacted the city council and was given the name of the guy in charge of Parks and Recreation. I emailed him, and he told me to come along to a Parks & Rec Board meeting - held once a month, open to the public.

So I went along last Thursday, with a handout I'd prepared that basically put forward the proposal - a low-cost proposal to revitalize an underutilized park in an under-served corner of [city]. I included a one-sentence summary, and bullet points on WHAT [phased installation of outdoor exercise equipment], WHERE [a certain park, opposite a mental health home so some concern in community in past at amount of smoking that goes on there - accordingly not a great location for playground], WHY [to encourage fitness, because we don't have anything nearby, to attract adults to the park (the mental health facility residents use the park a lot which is great, but it would be great to have other residents using it too] thus increasing safety/sense of community, inclusivity (something the care residents can use, and all other residents regardless of income]. Also mentioned estimated costs, and included photos of the park and proposed equipment.

The board said they really liked the idea, they agree the park is underused and it is scheduled for capital improvements in 2016, and they agree that exercise equipment would be a good use of that earmarked money. So I will keep following-up, and be sure to be at the meeting where they decide what to spend the money on so I can remind them of my idea :)

Government working and getting something accomplished! I'm a bit amazed honestly.

[cerebus]

Quick update.

I contacted the city council and was given the name of the guy in charge of Parks and Recreation. I emailed him, and he told me to come along to a Parks & Rec Board meeting - held once a month, open to the public.

Man...if you haven't yet watched the (now finished) series Parks and Recreation, now would be the time to start. This has got Season 1, Episode 1 all over it. I'll be following this topic to help ease the withdrawals I'm having with the show being finished. Best of luck in getting your park/gym!

YEEEESSSSSSS. SUCH AN AMAZING SHOW.

Bumping to follow because this is actually really interesting. The park I went to growing up had four different little play grounds, including one really boring one that didn't have slides or anything cool but had a lot of pictures of people in funny positions. It took me far longer than I care to admit (well into adulthood) to realize that that particular 'playground' was actually for adults to use for real people exercise.

Best of luck to you! And if you run into Leslie Knope, say hi!

Can't agree more ;)

[Lis]

Ron Swanson! Best avatar ever :)

You know, Ron is pretty mustachian, other than the fact that he 'invests' all his money in gold. There are a lot of mustachian lessons (what to do and what NOT to do) in Parks and Rec. Tom has one of my favorite lines... "Love fades away. But things..." *looks around a department store in wonder* "Things last forever!" Gets me every time :)

Done hijacking. Go back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[aussiesaver]

They have this kind of thing in a lot of the popular parks where I live (Australia)  and it's the council that pays for it. They are very popular and such a great idea. Good luck with your proposal.

[KungfuRabbit]

Most people aren't fit enough to do a single dip or pull-up.

They used to have these all over the place in MN until about 10 years ago they got ripped out since no one used them.

[ash7962]

I live in Chicago pretty near the lakefront where there's a running and biking path.  I know of at least 1 area right off the bike path that has a structure with pull up bars of various heights, a long heavy rope, and I believe a bench.  I see people use it all the time for pull ups, and I've seen people make waves with the big rope.  Seems pretty tough.  Anyway I think your idea is great and I hope it works out!  Let us know!

[gbbi_977]

Most people aren't fit enough to do a single dip or pull-up.

They used to have these all over the place in MN until about 10 years ago they got ripped out since no one used them.

"Most people" includes me, haha! But I'm on track to be able to do one hopefully by the end of the year or sooner. I'm doing the startbodyweight.com program and started as a total newbie, couldn't even hold myself at the top of a pull-up bar, and now I can do the eccentric (lowering) part of a pull-up.

I think you're right that they're underutilized. what I think works best is square of bars, where each is at a different height, including low ones that people can do leg assisted pull-ups on.