Lights on at Ewing Park

YOU might have noticed Ewing Park is a little brighter than usual in recent evenings as the site’s training lights have been switched on.

The Lighting up Ewing Park activation project was launched by the City of Greater Bendigo earlier this month to give residents the opportunity to exercise at night at the park, according to active and healthy lifestyles manager Lincoln Fitzgerald.

“Not everyone can exercise during the daytime and this is about providing options for people to exercise at a time that suits their lifestyle,” he said.

“The 2019 Healthy Heart of Victoria Active Living Census told us that the largest barrier to being physically active for local residents was being time poor so it is hoped that this initiative will support residents to be more active at a time that is convenient to them.”

The lights will switch on from 6pm to 8pm for seven days a week until 25 September and Mr Fitzgerald said, “if successful, the project could be continued into future years at Ewing Park and expanded to other local reserves”.

The illuminated park recently received a $1.6 million redevelopment, including the new LED training lights and oval with a 430-metre synthetic track around its perimeter.

Mr Fitzgerald said he hoped people will take advantage of the features.

“The work we’ve done to date has greatly improved Ewing Park and has expanded on the range of recreation activities available to the wider community within the precinct for the future,” he said.

“It’s a strong investment by the City and we now want to see as many people as possible using the reserve at all times of the day and evening and the year.”

To kick start these efforts Healthy Heart of Victoria are holding free exercise sessions at Ewing Park as part of its Our Outdoor Spaces Are Open Campaign until Friday, 4 June.

The sessions, run by a qualified instructor, are held in evenings under the park’s lights and classes for older adults are also available during mornings. To book a spot visit bit.ly/3fk5ulR.