Services: Project management, excavation, concrete foundations, tarmac surfacing, equipment logistics and installation, temporary works, safety compliance, ROSPA coordination.
Project Overview
Greentrees Park is a well-used public park in Dublin 12, home to playing pitches, a community centre, a children’s playground and a perimeter walking route installed by South Dublin County Council. The park already supported casual exercise and organised sport, but there was no structured strength training facility available to the public.
In partnership with Sport Ireland and Active South Dublin, the Council set out to introduce something different from standard outdoor exercise equipment. The ambition was to install Ireland’s first outdoor gym with fully adjustable resistance, allowing users to train with variable weight in the same way they would in an indoor facility.
This was not a cosmetic addition. It required careful planning, correct surfacing selection, certified installation and full compliance with public safety standards. The objective was clear: deliver a high-performance training space within a live public park environment, accessible to all users and built to withstand constant use.
Our Solution
Working with South Dublin County Council, and in coordination with Sport Ireland and Active South Dublin, Irish Fencing Services delivered a purpose-built outdoor gym designed for genuine strength training. The equipment, manufactured by Omni in Finland, allows users to vary resistance levels, with certain machines capable of reaching loads of up to 90 kilograms.
The entire installation was managed and delivered by Irish Fencing Services:
● Temporary fencing to secure the live park work zone
● Excavation and preparation of foundation levels
● Installation of reinforced concrete sub-foundations for each machine
● Removal of excavated spoil from site
● Installation of tarmac surfacing selected to accommodate wheelchair access and meet safety requirements
● Logistics coordination for international delivery of equipment from Finland to Ireland
● Full installation of all gym units in accordance with manufacturer specifications
● Installation of signage and usage instructions on all equipment
● Topsoiling and reinstatement works
● Coordination and successful completion of independent ROSPA inspection and certification
The location of the gym was carefully selected to integrate with the existing perimeter walking route and adjacent playing pitches. This allows walkers, club teams and casual users to incorporate structured strength training into their routines without leaving the park environment.
All works were carried out under Irish Fencing Services’ HSQE systems, including EN ISO 9001 Quality Management, Safe-T-Cert Health and Safety certification, EcoMerit Environmental Management standards and compliance with DIN EN 16630:2015-06 for permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment.
“The key from our perspective was to ensure the equipment was installed correctly, the surfacing met the required standards, and the entire facility achieved full safety certification before opening to the public.” – Shane Winters, Managing Director
Outcome & Impact
The transformation was immediate.
What had been open parkland is now a structured training facility that complements the walking route and playing pitches. The gym supports casual users, organised sports teams and residents of all ages seeking accessible strength training in a safe environment.
Unlike fixed outdoor fitness stations, the variable-weight system allows genuine progression. The facility provides adjustable resistance similar to that found in indoor gyms, expanding the level of training available within a public setting. One of the machines is designed to accommodate wheelchair users, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to accessibility.
The equipment also incorporates integrated usage tracking technology, allowing data to be transmitted to monitor activity levels. This provides valuable feedback to the client on how frequently the facility is being used.
Irish Fencing Services completed the project within programme and to the satisfaction of the client. Further installations have since been commissioned, reflecting confidence in the delivery model and the quality of the finished facility.
A modest footprint within the park, but a significant step forward in how public outdoor training spaces can function.
