Outdoor Fitness Equipment in the City of Toronto: An Examination of the Distribution, Quality, and Funding of Health-Related Public Amenities

The field of urban planning has long been criticized for its continuing contribution to unequal access to opportunities for all residents across municipalities. Outdoor Fitness Equipment (OFE), which can be thought of as outdoor gyms and workout stations, are public amenities which gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the City of Toronto, popping up in parks across the City. The following research investigated OFE in Toronto and evidence was discovered to suggest that there is unequal distribution and thereby access to these amenities by residents in the City of Toronto. Research was broken down into an analysis of the spatial distribution of OFE, a case study analysis of two contrasting parks, and a policy scan in conjunction with a structured discussion with City planning staff. This paper concludes with direction and recommendations on how Toronto could attempt to address these inequalities, and ensure all residents have access to OFE.