Central Falls Welcomes New Outdoor Gym at River Island Park

CENTRAL FALLS, RI – Mayor Maria Rivera joined local leaders and community members to celebrate the opening of a new outdoor gym at River Island Park. The park now features circuit training machines designed for outdoor use, offering free exercise options for people of all ages and abilities.

The project was funded through a participatory budgeting process led by the Pawtucket Central Falls Health Equity Zone (HEZ) and supported by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

“We are excited to celebrate the opening of the River Island Park outdoor gym, a space that reflects the voices and priorities of our community,” said Mayor Maria Rivera. “This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we listen to our residents and work together to make our city healthier and more vibrant.”

Mayor Maria Rivera cuts the ribbon during the ceremony.

The participatory budgeting process engaged more than 800 Pawtucket and Central Falls residents to help design programs aimed at improving social determinants of health and cast votes on how to allocate the public funds. 

“The HEZ engagement and participatory budgeting process that brought this gym to fruition are perfect examples of what happens when you center the community’s voice in budgeting, health, and infrastructure decisions,” said the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Dr. Jerry Larkin. “This approach is a model for how we can help communities throughout the state be healthier, more equitable places to live, work, and play.”

A resident of Central Falls uses the new gym equipment.

“The Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and our colleagues at Medicaid and the RI Department of Health were pleased to support the Health Equity Zones’ community-led participatory budgeting process which led to the opening of the River Island Park outdoor gym,” said Assistant Secretary Ana Novais. “This equitable project will help active community members engage outside and enjoy recreational spaces.”

“It's so gratifying to see the culmination of almost two years of work,” said Jim Logan, Program Officer at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Rhode Island. “When the Department of Health initiated the pilot program for Participatory Budgeting, we were energized by the community response. Residents were very engaged through the whole process–from submitting ideas to outlining programs to voting for their top choice. In the end, the projects here and in Pawtucket represent the wishes of the community.”

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