Exercise machines go after privacy concerns

Dirt patches remain were exercise equipment has been removed from Highland Park reserve in Mosgiel. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE

Exercise equipment at Highland Park reserve has been removed due to concerns about privacy and noise, a Dunedin City Council representative says.

DCC parks and recreation acting group manager Robert West said the equipment, which was installed early in December last year, was removed in mid-January.

‘‘The concerns were mainly around the equipment being too close to houses and this meant people using the equipment could see into people’s homes,’’ he said.

The council received two complaints about the equipment before its removal, he said.

There had been one complaint since it was removed, which the council was following up.

The $2500 equipment was installed as part of a larger $228,600 playground development and was designed to help the user stretch and improve their strength and balance.

Mr West said the council was looking into exactly what the issues were to make sure a similar situation did not occur in the future.

There was no cost to the council for removing the equipment and the cost for relocating it was unknown as it was not decided where it would be moved to, he said.

The council was looking for a suitable place where it could relocate the outdoor exercise equipment.

‘‘We are still looking at options for relocation so we don’t have a timeframe for when the equipment will be reinstalled.’’

jessica.wilson@alliedpress.co.nz