Great Bend residents have a new tool for reaching their fitness goals, while children have a new piece of playground equipment.
The Great Bend Fit Trail in Veterans Memorial Park opened Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Mayor Mike Allison.
“This is a wonderful facility,” Allison said. “This has been a great cooperation between many businesses in Great Bend. This facility is something different and it gives our citizens a new place to exercise and even spend time with family as the Fit Trail offers playground equipment for children.”
The original fitness trail, installed with underwriting from the Great Bend Kiwanis Club, followed a walking path in the park, with stations where people could stop to exercise. But the stations, made mostly of wood, had deteriorated over the years and weren’t being used much.
The new Fit Trail — actually a cluster of equipment for circuit training — came to life with the help of many people and businesses.
Diann Henderson, director Great Bend Recreation Commission, noted, “The Great Bend Kiwanis Club in partnership with the City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Recreation Commission staff have been working diligently the past year to develop a master plan to improve and relocate the existing deteriorating fitness stations located along Veterans Park hike and bike trails. The goal is to create a family friendly environment that encourages individuals and families to become physically active and to design an area for children to play while their parents utilize the Fit Trail fitness equipment. The Recreation Commission is excited to work with these partners in providing this new fit trail.”
The Fit Trail is located on the north side of Veterans Lake between the two parking lots near the restroom and hike and bike trail. It features a cluster of 11 pieces of fitness equipment, with instructions on how to use and adapt the exercises for personal fitness levels.
There’s also a playground area for children ages 5 to 12 years, including the innovative 9-foot “Global Motion,” which is a rotating playground net climber. Children can ride and climb on 14 nets inside and out on two levels.
In addition to the mayor, Monday’s ribbon cutting was attended by members of the Great Bend Kiwanis Club, and staff from the City of Great Bend, Great Bend Recreation Commission and the Golden Belt Community Foundation. For more information contact the City of Great Bend by calling 793-4111 or the Great Bend Recreation Commission by calling 793-3755.