The new fitness court – Credit: City of Schenectady
SCHENECTADY — A new outdoor fitness court in Orchard Park is now open for public use, the city announced Thursday.
The MVP Health Care Fitness Court is the latest amenity to be added to the small park in the city’s Mont Pleasant neighborhood, and was made possible thanks to a joint collaboration between the city, MVP Health Care and the National Fitness Campaign, which designed the exercise facility.
Earlier this year, MVP Health Care provided the city with a $50,000 grant to help fund the project and the City Council agreed to use an additional $90,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to pay for the 1,024-square-foot fitness court.
“We are excited to partner with the National Fitness Campaign to launch the MVP Health Care Fitness Court in our community that will complement the redevelopment of Orchard Park and provide easy and equitable access to health and wellness opportunities for local neighborhood residents,” Mayor Gary McCarthy said in a statement.
The fitness court is free to use and allows users to complete a variety of exercises leveraging their body weight, including chin-ups, squats, lunges and agility exercises.
The city completed a series of upgrades to the park last year, including demolishing six vacant homes along Second Avenue and Crane Street to expand the property, and installing a new playground, lighting and walkways throughout.
Users of the workout facility can download the Fitness Court app, designed to help guide individuals through the various exercises.
SUNY Schenectady County Community College unveiled plans to open the same type of fitness court near the entrance of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail. The project was also supported by MVP Health Care.
“As a leading health care services company, investing in our local communities and offering new, innovative wellness options like the Fitness Court reinforces our commitment to giving back to the people we serve and places we call home,” Chris Del Vecchio, CEO of MVP Health Care, said in a statement.
Contact reporter Chad Arnold at: [email protected] Follow him on Twitter: @ChadGArnold.
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