Prioritizing Community Health and Wellness
The public is invited to attend an opening-day launch event of the City of Coatesville’s new outdoor Fitness Court® at Victor Abdala Sr. Memorial Park (851 Olive Street, Coatesville) on Friday, August 16 at 4:00 p.m. The Fitness Court® program is a featured part of the nationwide initiative launched by National Fitness Campaign (NFC) that is on a mission to change health outcomes for the better in America. This award-winning initiative welcomed its 500th healthy community in 2023 and is now funded to deliver vital outdoor wellness programs to 1,000 healthy communities by 2025 to help get people moving outdoors and to fight the rising fiscal and humanitarian costs of physical inactivity.
During the launch event, guests can try the new Fitness Court and learn about upcoming community wellness events and programming taking place at Abdala Park. The following week, the City will host Coatesville’s first ever Fitness Festival (FitFest) on August 24, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit Coatesville.org or contact City Hallat (610) 384-0300.
This year, the City of Coatesville and dozens of other select recipients from around the country were awarded grant funding from National Fitness Campaign to help support the program. In addition to NFC grant funding, local funding and sponsorships were provided by The Alliance for Health Equity, Cleveland-Cliffs, PA American Water, Robert & Jennifer McNeil, G.A. Vietri Electrical, Inc., BGA&F, RKL, LAMB Beverage, Delaware Valley Concrete Company, and Cedarville Engineering.
“Abdala Park is the ideal site for the Fitness Court because it’s the place where thousands of Coatesville residents discovered their passion for sports and extracurricular activities,” said Vincent Miles Jr., Public Relations & Government Affairs Representative, City of Coatesville. “We are excited to break ground for such an impactful project that will introduce and create renewed enthusiasm for healthy exercise options.”
“This initiative offers so much more than exercise,” stated Carmen Green, Vice President of City Council, 4th Ward Representative, City of Coatesville. “It’s a project that builds a connected culture, enables the community to come together and promotes positive change!”
The new Fitness Court at Abdala Park allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven stations in just seven minutes. Created for people ages 14 and older and with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience.
“We are excited to have the entire Coatesville community join us in our journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long-lasting impact on longevity and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and well-being within the community.”
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About the City of Coatesville
The first and only city in Chester County, Coatesville is home to 13,300 neighbors and is undergoing economic and cultural revitalization that integrates innovation, education, and smart economic development. The City is fueled by a lively entrepreneurial spirit, rooted in its rich historic past. Founded in 1915, Coatesville’s Historic District features many resources listed on the National Register of Historic Places, coupled with vibrant new restaurants and small businesses in the downtown area. The City is home to the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum and the nationally recognized Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix. Coatesville.org
About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court®– the world’s best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign welcomed its 500th healthy community in 2023, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Follow along with National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com or on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.