OSWEGO – Mayor Billy Barlow announced today the commencement of construction of an outdoor adult fitness course, with a supportive mobile app, in Breitbeck Park near the Liberty Street Loop.
This capital project is a distinctive part of the 2022 initiative launched by the National Fitness Campaign (NFC), a nationwide advisory organization that partners with cities and schools to plan, build and fund healthy infrastructure. The 1,000 square foot playground will include 30 individual pieces of equipment including push rings, pull rings, push ladders, box jumps, lunge steps and more.
The new Fitness Court® in Breitbeck Park will be a free outdoor health center that will allow users to utilize their body weight for a complete workout. Designed for adults of all ages, the fitness room is adaptable to all fitness levels. New users can also download the free Fitness Court app – a trainer style platform in your pocket – transforming the outdoor gym into a digitally powered health ecosystem.
The Fitness Court app, called “Fitness Court,” is available for iOS and Android. The National Fitness Campaign developed the brand’s seven-station system in 2012 in hopes of inspiring municipalities to transform public spaces into community fitness centers. There are currently 100 active fitness stadium locations across the country, and the campaign will reach a total of 500 cities and schools by the end of 2022.
“Promoting health and wellness in our community is critical, now more than ever, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bringing an outdoor fitness pitch to Breitbeck Park will provide free accessible space to practice or host fitness activities,” Barlow said. group and exercise classes for individuals, organizations and clubs within the community.” The gym adds to the list of ongoing projects at Breitbeck Park as we strive to make Breitbeck a true destination with something for everyone. While the kids are playing on the Splash Pad or the new playground, adults can work out in the new fitness court, stroll around the park, or experience the stunning views and seating areas installed a few years ago.”
Late last year, the city of Oswego applied and received a $30,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to help support the program. The remainder of the project of approximately $150,000 will be paid for by the US bailout funded for the city in 2021. The city has begun construction by pouring a concrete pad and will partner with NFC installers to introduce the fixtures in the coming days.
The park is scheduled to open later this month.
About NFC:
The National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a social enterprise—founded in San Francisco, California, in 1979—specializing in the financing, activation, and promotion of health infrastructure through partnerships with cities and schools. The unique NFC program now operates in more than 150 cities, providing advisory services and an integrated health initiative to communities, centered around the world’s best outdoor gym: The Fitness Court®. Our mission is to design healthy urban infrastructure to improve people’s quality of life. Learn more about NFC at NationalFitnessCampaign.com and follow us on socialNatFitCampaign.
