Public Meeting Held Over 'Outdoor Gym' At Fort Victoria

An ‘ill-conceived’ new outdoor gym and ‘waste of money’ wooden fence which ‘ruins the view’ at Fort Victoria Country Park has triggered a backlash from residents.

‘Lip service’ was paid to the public, a public meeting about the facility heard yesterday, with frustration aired over a lack of consultation as well as fears around vandalism, litter and health and safety.

The play fitness equipment was put in place at the weekend and according to the council, will be suitable for younger and older children, with wooden materials chosen to be consistent with its surroundings.

In a statement today, County Hall said officers have offered to hold an ‘engagement’ meeting after the election to support the ‘shared desire’ to improve the experience for visitors to the attraction, in Yarmouth.

Outgoing ward councillor, Peter Spink, who is not standing for re-election, told attendees there was ‘very little’ advance notice of what was to take place at the park, with ‘no meaningful consultation’.

One member of the public said: “The expected good manners is for some form of consultation, which never transpired. Therefore, they paid lip service to us, the public who live here.”

Another attendee questioned whether there would be increased litter management during the school holidays, adding that she litter picks ‘frequently’ there.

She also asked whether there is a budget to keep equipment in good order if it gets vandalised or damaged.

A third described the gym as an ‘ill-conceived idea’, saying it’s ‘not needed at all’.

“If you’re going to put it somewhere, you put it on a designated place like a big play park, like a park like we’ve already got in Totland, or you’ve already got in Yarmouth, and you enhance that area,” she said.

“I think it’s got to April, I think the county council have got spare money they’ve been given, and they haven’t spent it and so they’ve got to spend, we’ve got to spend it somewhere, let’s go and do that…”

The woman’s remarks were met with a chorus of approval and ‘yes’ as she spoke.

A third attendee voiced concern over a lack of soft surface and said at this time of year the ground is like ‘concrete’.

He said it’s not for children, adding: “It’s equipment for adolescents…older adolescents and for adults. The instructions on the side are all pictures of adults.”

There was also criticism of a wooden fence along the sea wall which according to Cllr Spink was completed a short time before the gym installation.

A woman told the meeting: “There’s no need for the fence right the way around, it ruins the view, it’s a waste of money, it doesn’t stop dogs getting in, people can climb through it – it’s just not serving a purpose at all.”

Cllr Spink said he had raised it with the council who cited erosion to the sea wall and justified it on ‘public protection’ grounds.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “The council is within the pre‑election period, during which officers must take particular care to remain politically neutral and to avoid correspondence or engagement that could reasonably be perceived as influencing or responding differentially to councillors who are standing for re‑election.

“Officers have offered to hold an engagement meeting after the election to support the shared desire to improve the experience for visitors.”

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “The Isle of Wight Council remains committed to enhancing public spaces and managing coastal risk responsibly.

“A trim trail with five activities and an outdoor fitness zone has been installed at Fort Victoria Country Park, providing dedicated spaces for younger and older children to support fitness for all ages.

“The wooden equipment reflects the country park theme, and the larger fitness zone has been deliberately positioned in the shade of the tree line at the western edge of the green.

“Small-scale public realm assets are installed under the council’s delegated authority framework in accordance with the constitution, enabling operational teams to deliver approved programmes efficiently without formal committee decisions for individual schemes.

“The Fort Victoria works were referenced in weekly updates issued to parish and town councils between February 11 and May 5, including notifications about fencing and playground equipment. Going forward, contact lists will continue to be reviewed, and ward members will be added to the weekly update distribution.

“The works were also discussed through the Council’s West Wight multi-parish engagement meetings, which are formally scheduled, accessible in person and online, and supported by circulated minutes.

“It is recognised that local awareness was lower than intended, and further steps are being taken to improve the visibility of scheme-specific information.

“The wooden fencing is separate from the play and fitness equipment and was installed as a health and safety measure. A coastal inspection identified defects in nearby sections of the seawall, including voiding, erosion, and localised instability.

“These conditions reflect a dynamic and deteriorating coastal environment where risk cannot always be mitigated through repair.

“A review of the fencing identified sections that extend beyond what is required to protect visitors. Sections to the north, where the seawall is in better condition, and to the west, where there is open grassland, will be removed. These works will be undertaken imminently, and materials will be reused elsewhere on the Island.”