First of six fitness parks built on Fernleigh Track

One of Newcastle's best-known exercise routes, the Fernleigh Track, is now giving outdoor enthusiasts another way to keep fit thanks to a new workout station built just north of the City Road tunnel at Adamstown Heights.

The open-air exercise station, funded by the City of Newcastle with the support of State MP Jodie Harrison, is the first of six to be built in the next few years as part the Outdoor Exercise Facility Plan to help keep Novocastrians in shape.

^{Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the Fernleigh Track fitness station}

Camp Shortland, South Newcastle Beach, Cooks Hill's Nesca Park, National Park in Newcastle West and Stockton's Griffith Park are among coastal locations being considered for fitness stations, while Wallsend, Beresfield and Maryland are the other possible options located further west.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the provision of new exercise parks would help meet the City's population growth targets and reduce obesity and health risks.

^{Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the Fernleigh Track fitness station}

"It's a priority of this council to provide quality parkland and recreation facilities that are diverse, accessible and responsive to these changing needs," the Lord Mayor said.

"By building these new parks we are also increasing our commitment to supporting the community to be physically active, contributing to improved health outcomes and lowering obesity levels. Research has found that exercise outdoors is considered to be refreshing, gives a sense of wellbeing and reduces tension and depression.

"I'm pleased that we've been able to identify park sites for outdoor exercise facilities in locations right across the City of Newcastle, with new equipment proposed for each of the four wards of the Newcastle Local Government Area."

The facilities will be funded through a partnership between Council and local and state grant providers.