Riverside Park Conservancy | May 24, 2024
Riverside Park Conservancy, Outletics, and NYC Parks celebrated the opening of a new outdoor fitness installation at 151st Street, alongside the Hudson River in Riverside Park, on Thursday, May 23rd. The state-of-the-art equipment was generously donated by Outletics, and its installation was made possible by private donors.
The new outdoor gym is part of Riverside Park Conservancy’s North Park Initiative, which focuses on bringing more resources, maintenance and programming to the areas of Riverside Park and Fort Washington Park between West 120th and 181st Streets. The new fitness equipment adds a much-needed wellness and recreation amenity at a high-traffic location by the water’s edge.
“Since we started the installation a few weeks ago, parkgoers have been stopping by every day to watch our progress and express their excitement about this new addition to the park,” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy.
“This stretch of park is already a magnet for runners and bikers, but our goal is to offer fitness activities for all levels of physical ability and interest – whether that’s through this incredible new exercise equipment or through our new sunset yoga classes at the nearby 145th Street lawn. It’s going to be such a treat to work out here while taking in gorgeous views of the Hudson River. We’re so grateful to Outletics for their vision and for making this all possible.”
Partnership with Outletics
Founded in 2010, Outletics focuses on providing world-class outdoor exercise equipment that is accessible to people of all backgrounds, abilities and fitness levels. Designed and engineered in Switzerland, the machines offer a variety of activities designed to strengthen cardio, mobility, flexibility and balance.
Riverside Park is the company’s first installation site in the United States. Ilona Kogan, co-founder of Outletics, first envisioned bringing an accessible outdoor gym to Northern Manhattan in 2019, in response to the lack of affordable fitness options for so many community members. She worked closely with Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks to identify the location and secure the necessary permits and safety approvals.
“Outletics is delighted to have its first North America installation in the stunning Riverside Park,” said Ilona Kogan. “There is a glaring paucity of high quality, user friendly outdoor exercise equipment in New York and around the country. The last few years brought urgent attention to our health and wellbeing and what is better than to be able to exercise outdoors, with your fellow New Yorkers and to have fun while you are doing it. We are extremely grateful to the staff of Riverside Park Conservancy and to the NYC Department of Parks for their vision and hard work. Building a healthier world one movement at a time is our passion and our mission at Outletics USA!”
“Thanks to the dedicated partnership between Riverside Park Conservancy and Outletics, this new workout equipment will enrich the lives of the Northern Manhattan community from West 120th street to 181st street,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “The new outdoor gym, a much needed amenity by the water’s edge, enhances wellness and recreation for the community. The equipment caters to all abilities, fostering cardio, mobility, and balance while aligning with Parks’ mission to reshape and improve green spaces for present and future generations.”
About Riverside Park Conservancy
From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.