New outdoor fitness equipment at James Meehan Reserve in Dee Why are now available for public use, marking the completion of a project shaped by community feedback from a consultation process that began three years ago.
What The Dee Why Fitness Equipment Includes
The installation features a multi-station incorporating leg raise equipment, body dip stations, gorilla bars, roman rings and a pull-up bar. Step-up boxes at two different heights and a sit-up bench have also been added.
The equipment are located in a shaded section of the reserve near the children’s playground, with additional trees planned to further improve shade coverage in the area.
An upper strength pod with chest press and pull-down stations forms part of the layout, along with a designated stretching and warm-up zone. The equipment has been designed to cater to a range of ages, abilities and fitness levels, supporting inclusive access to outdoor exercise.
How The Location Was Selected
The installation was completed in January of this year and opened to the public in the first week of February. Community consultation on the proposal took place three years ago, between 14 February and 16 March 2025.
Residents were asked to choose between two potential locations within James Meehan Reserve in Dee Why and provide feedback on the type of equipment proposed. A total of 261 responses were received.
Although feedback was mixed, there was overall support for installing outdoor fitness equipment. The selected location was identified as minimising impacts on open space, events and other park users, with both options positioned away from the reserve’s main gathering areas.
The project also reflects feedback from consultation for the Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Strategy in 2022, which identified demand for free and accessible outdoor exercise facilities at the reserve.
Online responses to the announcement have included positive reactions, with one comment noting it was a welcome addition and expressing interest in similar facilities in other suburbs. Other comments raised concerns about children using the equipment and the potential for injury.
Published 16-Feb-2026
