A new public fitness area is the centrepiece in the transformation of a park west of downtown Windsor.
A ribbon-cutting was held on Wednesday afternoon to open a new fitness structure at Gateway Park. The equipment is free and open to anyone, and can accommodate up to nine people at a time.
The fitness area was paid for with ward funding, first proposed by former Ward 2 Councillor Fabio Costante and his successor, Frazier Fathers.
"Councillor Costante had planned ahead and dedicated a significant portion of ward funds," said Fathers. "The project wasn't done when I was elected, and so, they came to me and said, 'Do you want us to do this or not?' I said, 'This is great, let's do it.'"
Tire retailer Kal Tire provided a grant through its RePlay Fund, which helped pay for the recycled rubber surfacing. The fund supports projects across Canada that reuse recycled rubber.
The fitness structure is the latest in a series of improvements that have transformed a strip of green space into public use, stretching from the riverfront to Wyandotte Street West.
Fathers said residents should not be surprised to see additional amenities added.
"This is a unique place, given the linear trail and now, overlooking the river here," said Fathers. "But yeah, we're certainly focusing on some small investments and modest investments."
A wayfinding sign has been installed at Riverside Drive West and Cameron Avenue to help visitors find the park.
