An underused area of Garden City Park is set to be redeveloped as an outdoor fitness court, this thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places placemaking initiative.
The rather large park, located at the intersection of Merriman and Cherry Hill roads, features a range of amenities, including picnic areas, horseshoe pits, baseball diamonds, and more. The proposed Garden City Fitness Court would make use of an unused expanse adjacent to park running trails.
As part of the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help raise funds necessary for building the outdoor fitness court. Should organizers reach their crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by July 17, the MEDC will then contribute a $50,000 matching grant.
The campaign is being hosted on Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
The fitness court is a model designed by the National Fitness Campaign. The design integrates digital platforms with workout equipment to provide seven-minute workouts in bodyweight circuit training.
Amenities include 30 pieces of workout equipment and shock-resistant sports flooring. The outdoor court accommodates up to 28 people at one time.
The National Fitness Campaign also provides recommended routines, though the fitness court can be utilized as users see fit.
"Garden City is excited to bring free fitness to its residents with the National Fitness Campaign's outdoor Fitness Court," says Garden City Mayor Randy Walker.
"The Public Places Community Spaces program will help transform an underutilized space in Garden City Park and create a free fitness club without walls for people of all fitness levels to enjoy."
Click here to view the current status of the crowdfunding campaign.
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