New Westminster’s Parks and Recreation Department is set to install a trio of inclusive, accessible outdoor fitness stations along the Komagata Maru Perimeter Trail — with construction beginning this spring.
A Healthier Trail for All
Queensborough residents and visitors to New Westminster’s Komagata Maru Perimeter Trail can look forward to a new addition this summer: a thoughtfully designed outdoor fitness circuit aimed at promoting wellness, inclusion, and community use. The City of New Westminster is rolling out a new initiative that will see the installation of three outdoor fitness stations along the popular trail.
Planned by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, the project is part of a broader commitment to improve local amenities and encourage accessible, active lifestyles for all. Construction is expected to begin in April 2025, with completion anticipated by early summer.
*Photos by City of New Westminster
Three New Fitness Stations, Four Pieces of Equipment
The fitness circuit will be distributed across three stations, featuring four pieces of exercise equipment designed to cater to a wide range of users — from seasoned fitness enthusiasts to those rehabilitating from injuries or living with disabilities.
Station 1: Pull-Up Bars
Located at a height of 240 cm, these bars are tailored for upper body strength workouts like pull-ups, assisted pull-ups, and hanging leg raises. This station encourages functional fitness with a straightforward but effective piece of equipment.
Station 2: Parallel Bars
This station emphasizes inclusivity. Designed for people of all ability levels, including wheelchair users, the parallel bars support exercises such as dips, modified pull-ups, and step-through lunges. It's a space where beginners, seniors, and rehab users can safely engage in movement and strength-building.
Station 3: Elliptical Machine and Hand Cycler
Offering a dual setup, this station supports both cardiovascular health and accessibility:
Elliptical Machine: A low-impact option that works the lower body, arms, and core, while also aiding in balance and coordination.
Hand Cycler: Another wheelchair-accessible feature, this tool allows users to work on cardio fitness and upper body strength, regardless of mobility level.
Each station will be installed with rubber surfacing, improving comfort and safety for all users, including those using mobility aids.
Adapting to the Landscape
While the fitness equipment plans remain unchanged, the original installation sites had to be revised due to unexpected access issues identified by the project contractor. The updated locations — still along the Komagata Maru Trail — were selected to preserve user safety and equipment function. A map showing these revised placements exists but was not included in the initial release.
During construction, expect intermittent disruptions to parts of the trail. Temporary closures may occur to accommodate construction vehicle access, but detour signage will be clearly posted. The City has committed to minimizing impacts wherever possible and keeping trail access open for the majority of users during the build.
Honouring History with a Healthier Future
Beyond its fitness-focused upgrades, the Komagata Maru Perimeter Trail stands as a powerful memorial. It commemorates the 1914 arrival — and rejection — of the S.S. Komagata Maru and its South Asian passengers, who were denied entry into Canada under exclusionary immigration laws supported at the time by New Westminster's city leadership.
In September 2021, New Westminster City Council formally apologized for its role in upholding those racist policies. The naming of the trail and nearby ferry docks serves as a reminder of that dark chapter in Canadian history, and a public commitment to equity, remembrance, and inclusion.
The outdoor fitness stations are an extension of that vision — transforming the trail into not only a place for reflection, but also for community wellness, activity, and connection.
Curious how inclusive projects like this could shape Queensborough’s future? We’re keeping a close eye on developments like this so our clients stay informed — and inspired. Want to be one of them?
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