Council excited to open parkour facility

Bondi Beach BAR Brutes at Wetherill Park's parkour facility.

A successful collaboration between Fairfield City Council and a local parkour group is literally resulting in people going off the rails!

Council is excited to officially open a specialist parkour and street-workout training area this weekend at Emerson Street Reserve in Wetherill Park. The facility is the result of Council working with local Parkour practitioners from Team 9 Lives to custom design the training area.

Parkour is a highly athletic, yet spiritual art form. Often recognised for its large jumps and cat-like movements, it involves practitioners moving through their landscapes, using obstacles - ledges, stairs, walls - to create movement. Parkour was featured in movies such as Casino Royale and The Bourne Ultimatum, and it continues to grow in popularity around the world.

Team 9 Lives consists of a core of 22 athletes who hold regular classes that attract up to 200 students a week. They also enthralled the 15,000 people who attended this year's Bring It On! youth festival with a live performance.

Ali Kadhim, who founded Team 9Lives in 2004, started practicing parkour because it allowed him to be free - his only limit was his imagination. Ali and his team continue to make it accessible and safe for anybody to learn.

Team 9Lives worked with Council's Recreation Planner and Landscape Designers to design the fitness park with off-the-shelf, static equipment at Emerson Street Reserve. The facility is already proving very popular, attracting not only plenty of locals, but also professional athletes from around Sydney, such as the Bondi Beach BAR Brutes.

The launch will be on Sunday, 31 August, between 11am and 3pm. Official proceedings will begin at 1pm. The Team is keen to see people of all ages, all fitness levels and all types of sports joining in the action. There will be demonstrations by Bondi Beach Bar Brutes and Team 9Lives on the day. (www.facebook.com/bondibeachbarbrutes - www.facebook.com/team9lives)

For a taste of physical training at Emerson Park Reserve, visit this YouTube link: http://youtu.be/4t7Np90D1pw   

Fitness in Fairfield – bringing people together

The outdoor gym at Horsley Park Showground is already proving popular for residents, who use it in conjunction with the new walking path.

Just recently Council finished installing outdoor gym equipment and new walking paths at Horsley Park Showground. A second outdoor gym will open soon at Emerson Street Reserve.

In the coming years, Council aims to install a number of outdoor gyms and walking circuits across the City. The outdoor gyms use a combination of static and dynamic equipment that allow users to work the whole body or just focus on a particular area that needs attention.

This initiative is about encouraging everyone in our community to lead healthier lives by becoming more physically active and to eat healthier. Apart from the obvious health benefits, the new gym equipment and walking circuits are a great way for residents to meet new people in a fun and relaxed environment.

As part of the recreational needs strategy, the 'Everybody Walking Circuit Path', Council will be rolling out new signage in order to help residents get in shape and stay in shape.

Residents will also be able to scan a QR code placed around the parks, which will link them to the latest information about Fitness in Fairfield.

Large signs will be placed at the beginning of the walking circuits, informing people about how many laps one will need to do to burn in order to burn the equivalent calories of a chocolate bar or soft drink.

The Everybody Walking Circuit Path has something for people of all ages and fitness levels. Residents can also join a local walking group, such as Horsley Park, Fairfield Seniors, Stockland, Bossley Park and Cabramatta, which cater to all ages and fitness levels.

All residents are encouraged to try the new outdoor exercise equipment at Horsley Park Reserve and Emerson Street Reserve or get involved with the other programs offered by our leisure centres. Start your transformation today!

Talks inspire future leaders

Council often hosts students, such as these pictured from Bossley Park Public School with Mayor Frank Carbone and Deputy Mayor George Barcha, so they can learn all about local government.

Local school students have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Mayor of Fairfield City Frank Carbone as part of Fairfield City Council's free School Education program.

The program is specifically designed for primary school children from Years 3-6, giving them the chance to visit Fairfield City Council Chambers and learn more about local government.

The program begins by introducing students to the three tiers of government and their respective duties. The role of local government is then expanded upon, explaining the role of a council in caring for the community.

Students watch a short video about the many services and facilities offered by local councils and how a Mayor and Councillors are elected.

Students are then given the opportunity to participate in their own mock election, electing their own 'Mayor for the Morning'.

The winning student dons the Mayoral robe and chains and delivers a campaign speech outlining their goals for their time in government.

Mayor of Fairfield City Frank Carbone also meets with the students and has a question and answer session with them.

The program aims to introduce children to the functions of government early on in life, imparting on them the knowledge needed to contribute and participate in all aspects of public life, hopefully even inspiring future leaders.

For more information on Fairfield City Council's School Education Program, or to book a session for your school, please contact Council on 9725 0204.

A new hub for young people

Mayor Frank Carbone and Federal Member for McMahon Chris Bowen inspect progress work with Council Major Projects Co-ordinator Gerard Connaughton.

A concept drawing of the Adventure Park.

Fairfield Park is a hive of activity as construction starts on the Adventure Park and Fairfield Youth and Community Centre.

Construction began on the $1.4 million Adventure Park in July and is expected to be completed in time for the summer holidays.

The $8.55 million Fairfield Youth and Community Centre construction began in June and it should be completed by November 2015.

These two state-of-the-art facilities, within a 10-minute walk of Fairfield CBD and station, will bring high-quality recreational opportunities to children of all ages.

Fairfield Youth and Community Centre will be a hub for young people in the heart of Fairfield City. 

It will feature indoor basketball courts, trampolines, a climbing wall, wi-fi access, meeting rooms and a large hall for sports and performing arts. The centre will be large enough to act as a regional recreation centre for young people across Western Sydney.

The Adventure Park is designed for children in their early teens, providing adventure play-style recreational opportunities for older children. 

It features an 11m high giant climbing net, sky bridge and slide combination (one of the tallest of its kind inAustralia), and a 33m long double flying fox.

This will all be in a setting of soft fall, surrounded by the natural shade of new andexisting trees.

Additionally, the new park will feature a foosball table, tabletennis, barbecues and picnic tables. There is also a park for younger children in the same area, so the whole family can enjoy the space.