Back in 2022, the community told Council through consultation on the the Let’s Play! Strategy that they value free, accessible outdoor fitness options. Council then proposed installing four fitness pods along Manly Beachfront—and then they again asked what the community thought. 465 people responded. Here’s what they said:

• 32% supported the plan.
• 68% preferred to leave the beachfront open. Why? The community loves the open space—for picnics, walking, and relaxing. Concerns about visual clutter and noise. Some worried about late-night behaviour. Others felt the equipment mix or location wasn’t quite right. The result? Council is now respecting the feedback and not installing fitness equipment along Manly Beachfront. Instead, those funds will be reallocated to other priorities in the Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Strategy.

But in other news! Outdoor fitness equipment will be installed at James Meehan Reserve in Dee Why. That community said they wanted the fitness equipment next to their playground.