Source: PlayCore
PlayCore, the leading company in play and recreation research, programming, and products, recently awarded its Fitness National Demonstration Site Award to two outdoor fitness parks in the US. Erie Metroparks in Huron OH received the designation for the Osborn Metropark fitness site. Welleby Park in Sunrise, FL, was also awarded the prestigious designation for its fitness trail.
The Osborn Park site at 3910 Perkins Avenue features a cluster arrangement of equipment to encourage social behavior as well as a well-rounded workout. Welleby Park, at 11100 NW 44 Street in Sunrise, FL< placed their equipment along a trail to encourage cardiovascular exercise between workout stations. Both sites offer elements to encourage the four elements of a well-rounded workout: cardio, muscle, core, and balance/flexibility.
“We created our best practice design guide on outdoor fitness parks with an advisory board of scholars and experts in fitness to help communities understand not just design, but also benefits of outdoor exercise, marketing tactics to promote their Outdoor Fitness Parks, and outcome tracking ” said Anne-Marie Spencer, PlayCore’s Corporate VP of Marketing. “The National Demonstration Site Designation is given to parks that align with the four identified areas of a well rounded workout, involve the community in planning, actively market the space, and agree to participate in future data gathering
The sites receive certification, become part of a national registry, and are promoted actively to other communities wishing to offer appropriate outdoor fitness for adults to help share best practices. We know the evidence-based benefits of outdoor exercise are many, and including outdoor fitness parks as an element of a diverse outdoor recreation system promotes community capital. We are excited to be working closely with so many communities to advance health and recreation opportunities with this initiative.”
The two new National Demonstration Sites can now be found on the National Fitness Park locator at playcore.fitness.com. To receive a copy of Outdoor Fitness Parks: Best Practices for Promoting Community Health by Increasing Physical Activity, send a request to [email protected].
About PlayCore: PlayCore helps build stronger communities around the world by advancing play through research, education, and partnerships. The company infuses this learning into its complete family of brands. PlayCore combines best in class planning and education programs with the most comprehensive array of recreation products available to create play solutions that match the unique needs of the each community they serve. Learn more at www.playcore.com
