Palos Park Village Officials Dedicate New State-Of-The-Art Outdoor Fitness Court

PALOS PARK, IL—The Village of Palos Park is celebrating fitness and America’s 250th birthday with a new state-of-the-art outdoor fitness court on the Palos Park Village Green.

Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters assembled on June 18, along with State Reps. Rick Ryan (36th District) and Mary Gill (35th District), Clerk Kathy Williams and park commissioners to dedicate the fitness court.

The village won a grant from the National Fitness Campaign that helps communities plan, design and fund free outdoor fitness courts to improve wellness and active lifestyles to combat sedentary lifestyles. By 2030, the campaign’s goal is to fund 5,000 free outdoor fitness courts within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.

The Fitness Court in Palos Park is a state-of-the-art outdoor wellness facility designed to provide free and equitable access to fitness opportunities for community members ages 14 and older. Utilizing bodyweight-based exercises, the court allows users of all fitness levels to complete a full-body workout through a series of adaptable movement stations. Visitors can also enhance their experience by downloading the free Fitness Court® App, which provides guided workouts and serves as a personal fitness coach.

“Palos Park is surrounded by 12,000 acres of forest preserves, making it the perfect natural setting for an outdoor fitness court and outdoor recreation,” Milovich-Walters said. “The idea that parents can stay active while keeping an eye on their children at the playground is a powerful way to show the next generation that staying active is normal and an important part of life.”

Lamont Doyle, of ChuloFit in Palos Park, led members of the Moraine Valley Community College Cross Country team through the Fitness Court’s seven-minute workout, including stations for core, squat, lunge, pull, push and agility exercises.

The parks and recreation department plans to hold Fitness 101 classes on how to use the fitness court. It is located near the playground on the Village Green, so parents can keep an eye on their kids while working out.

The Fitness Court was made possible through a partnership between the Village of Palos Park, BlueCross\Blue Shield of Illinois, and the National Fitness Campaign, along with local fundraising and donors. The entire project cost $200,000, with $50,000 coming from village funds.

Lamont Doyle and the MVCC Cross Country Team demonstrates the 7-minute workout at the new outdoor Fitness Court on the Palos Park Village Green.