What amenities can I include in a park that will encourage physical activity for all park visitors, regardless of age and ability level?

Outdoor fitness equipment is a great answer. Previously, this equipment was limited in scope, being geared to those who are already fit - for instance, the pull-up bars, parallel bars, and other simple wood structures that can be seen along trails. Today, there are a great many more options to allow virtually all teens, adults and seniors who visit a park to find something appropriate for their needs.

 
What are some good options for teens?

Teens like to be social. Often, they enjoy competition. Additionally, they're not too far removed from their childhood years and still enjoy the sense of play. Ninja courses are ideal for this age group, providing an experience reminiscent of a playground but involving a much higher degree of physical challenges. Teens can time themselves and see who can run the course the fastest, and also work on beating their own individual times.

How about parents - what is available for them?

Parents often bring their children to the playground but then are bystanders, watching the kids play but not being physically active themselves. Placing fitness equipment around the perimeter of a playground allows adults to keep tabs on their children while engaging in exercise. Equipment with adjustable resistance is great for this application. For one, it's low to the ground and not something that could be interpreted as a climbing structure by the kids. Second, built-in resistance mechanisms make for a more challenging exercise experience, leading kids who try out the equipment to quickly lose interest and return to the age-appropriate playground.

What can be provided for those using mobility devices?

There are great exercise equipment options available to those with mobility impairments that don't even require them to transfer. What's more, they can exercise on the same units as the rest of the community. Greenfields offers two types of patented exercise equipment for those using wheelchairs - one type with a fixed amount of resistance and one with variable resistance.

Finally, is there exercise equipment for seniors?

Seniors especially enjoy working out in the fresh air. Equipment with body-weight leverage resistance is great for this demographic. Many units accommodate multiple users, turning exercise into an enjoyable and highly social experience.

What are some side benefits of outdoor exercise areas?

When planners add outdoor fitness equipment to a park or other outdoor public space, there are several additional benefits. First, increased positive activity in the area can serve to push out negative elements, potentially reducing instances of vandalism and other harmful activities. Second, outdoor fitness equipment has been observed to enhance the social fabric of local communities by serving as a way for people to connect. Those more experienced share workout tips with novices, and neighbors who use the equipment at the same time of day strike up conversations with others that they would otherwise not interact with. Finally, the presence of outdoor fitness equipment gives adults a wonderful way to set a good example for their children using the sports fields or playgrounds nearby, demonstrating for them the importance of healthy movement throughout every stage of life.