FREE FITNESS FOR OTTAWA
(OTTAWA, KS – July 28, 2023) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), City of Ottawa, and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court to Kanza Park. The Fitness Court, adjacent to the Prairie Spirit Trail at 200 W 13th Street, will open on Friday, July 28 at 8:00 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This Fitness Court was developed by BCBSKS, City of Ottawa and NFC to expand free access to high quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. Created with people aged 14 and over 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 need more innovative solutions to address the physical activity needs of all Kansans. Solutions that will level the playing field and allow everyone a safe place to enjoy the outdoors and improve their health,” said Virginia Barnes, director of Blue Health Initiatives at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. “We believe that all people deserve this opportunity, and we are proud to partner with City of Ottawa and NFC to show our commitment to improving the health of all Kansans.” “The City of Ottawa is excited that we have the opportunity to partner with the National Fitness Campaign. The addition of this equipment will provide people of all ages an opportunity to improve their health and improve their fitness level,” said Eric Crowley, City of Ottawa Mayor “National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome the City of Ottawa to the campaign as a leader in Kansas, championing health and wellness for their residents” said Mitch Menaged, founder of NFC. “We are proud to continue our mission of getting people moving outdoors and helping communities combat the fiscal and humanitarian costs of inactivity.”
The City of Ottawa also received grant funding from T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program. Just last month, T-Mobile announced that Ottawa was one of 25 Hometown Grant recipients selected this summer. The Hometown Grant program from T-Mobile was established in 2021 and funds community development projects that make a positive impact for thousands of people in small towns. Residents are invited to attend the launch event on Friday, July 28 at 8 a.m. to try the Fitness Court. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/OttawaFitness, or contact the Parks Department at 785-229-3653. For more information on BCBSKS support of NFC, please visit https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/kansas. # # # About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit www.bcbsks.com. About City of Ottawa The City of Ottawa was founded on September 6, 1864, along the south side of the Marais des Cygnes River. The town was incorporated in 1866, and, in 1867, voted to become a City of the Second Class under the guidelines established by the State of Kansas. The City of Ottawa has been actively working towards providing our community with ways to promote health and an active lifestyle through recreation. This new partnership with the National Fitness Campaign will continue our progress towards all-inclusive healthy options for fitness everyone can enjoy. Partnering with the National Fitness Campaign is another giant step in the right direction to promote healthier lifestyles. About NFC Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors with the mission to build healthy communities. NFC delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered on the world’s best outdoor gym: The Fitness Court®. The Campaign is planning its 500th Healthy Community, uniting 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 us on social media @NatFitCampaign and #Fitnesscourt.
