Workout Donation Winds Towards Wooster

Wooster Street parkgoers should soon have a new climbing structure, pull up bars, and other outdoor fitness equipment to help them exercise in the public greenspace, thanks to a donation from the Dalio Foundation.

City Engineer Giovanni Zinn and Chief Landscape Architect Katherine Jacobs detailed that fitness equipment donation and coming installation Tuesday night during the latest Zoomed online meeting of the Downtown-Wooster Square Community Management Team.

Zinn said that the Dalio Foundation approached the city to donate some outdoor fitness equipment to Wooster Memorial Park on Wooster Street near Warren Street. That foundation is a philanthropy run by billionaire Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara.

Zinn said that the ​“body-weight fitness equipment” to be installed in the northwest corner of the park was donated in memory of Devon Dalio, the Dalios’ late son who died in a car crash in Greenwich in December 2020.

“The Dalio foundation has offered to donate funding to install fitness equipment at Wooster Memorial Park in memory of Devon Dalio, who enjoyed fitness and has a connection to the Wooster Square area,” Zinn wrote in a Nov. 21, 2022 letter to the Board of Alders in support of accepting the donation. ​“The funding is in the amount of $128,838.40, which represents the cost of installing the equipment and associated safety surface. The equipment will provide a valuable amenity to the park and increase its enjoyment.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, Jacobs said that the equipment — which should be installed in mid-May — will allow for a ​“variety of different activities to work out” on. The equipment includes a ​“climbing structure with an integrated pull up bar” and a ​“magnetic braking system,” according to a slide shown by Jacobs and Zinn at Tuesday’s meeting.

Jacobs said the city is likely going to install equipment that is colored light green, rather than the orange pictured at the top of this article, to better fit with the colors of the surrounding park. ​“The people who are donating this also are planning a day of service in early June where they will come and help with some cleanup in the park,” she added.

Why exactly did the foundation pick Wooster Memorial Park as the place where this equipment should be placed? asked Wooster Square neighbor Anstress Farwell.

“They have a connection to this neighborhood,” Jacobs said, ​“and particularly Sally’s. That’s their favorite pizza spot.”

Asked if this equipment is primarily or exclusively for adults, Jacobs said that it’s recommended for ages 13 and up. 

Outdoor ​“exercise equipment is getting a lot more traction citywide,” Zinn said. He noted that the Scantlebury Park-adjacent equipment is used frequently, as is similar equipment already in place in the Learning Corridor right off the Farmington Canal Trail in Newhallville. It’s ​“a way for people to throw a little extra fitness into their walk.”

Wooster Square Alder Ellen Cupo said she already knows one constituent of hers who will be excited about this equipment. ​“My neighbor Hugo, who is seven, will love this. He’s a big ninja warrior fan.”

Writing in via the Zoom chat, Farmington Canal advocate Aaron Goode chimed in about Newhallville’s outdoor fitness equipment — and about some landscaping the city should look into.

“The adult exercise equipment is pretty popular at the Learning Corridor,” Goode wrote. ​“Unfortunately the City dug and then left a giant hole in the ground right next to the equipment, making it unsafe to use.”

“Thanks for bringing that up, Aaron!” Jacobs responded by Zoom chat. ​“I can check with Parks and Public Works to address that giant hole.”