City of San Bernardino to Open Fitness Court
at Blair Park on November 9
The City of San Bernardino will be holding a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, November 9 at 3:30 pm to unveil an innovative outdoor Fitness Court® at Blair Park, which will provide area residents with an easy-to-use, station-to-station amenity to improve their physical health. The project is a featured part of an initiative launched by National Fitness Campaign (NFC), a nationwide wellness organization that partners with cities and schools to plan, build, and fund healthy communities.
“We are beyond excited to have this innovative option for fitness in San Bernardino,” said City Parks and Recreation Director Lydie Gutfeld. “This is a great opportunity for families to come out to the ribbon cutting, enjoy the park, and start their journeys into improving their physical fitness.”
The opening day activities will feature a ribbon cutting, demonstrations on how to use the Fitness Court equipment, opportunities to try out the equipment, and information about upcoming community wellness events and programming. Blair Park is located at 1466 West Marshall Boulevard, San Bernardino, CA 92405.
One feature of the Blair Park Fitness Court is the locally inspired 10’x30’ mural and artwork representing San Bernardino’s history and culture by local artist Darren Villegas. Villegas was selected earlier this year by the City Arts and Historical Preservation Commission as part of a competition to select a local artist for the Fitness Court.
“Incorporating the arts into the cultivation of our youth, parks and community will help San Bernardino shine brightly once again,” said Tawnya Rhoades Hensley, Chair of the Arts & Historical Preservation Commission.
San Bernardino was selected to receive a $30,000 grant from NFC to help support the construction of the court, along with additional funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the California Parks and Recreation Society.
The Fitness Court at Blair Park allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven stations. Adaptable for people at all fitness levels, the NFC developed the Fitness Court concept in 2012 to inspire municipalities to transform public spaces into community fitness hubs. NFC is currently planning its 500th Healthy Community in the United States.
“We are excited to have Blair Park join us in the journey to health and wellness as we make a positive impact across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, Founder of National Fitness Campaign. “San Bernardino’s addition of the Fitness Court and ongoing engagement in healthy lifestyles demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the community.”
For more information, go to www.sbcity.org/parks
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