Renown Health, Washoe County, and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® to two Washoe County regional parks: Rancho San Rafael and South Valleys. The Fitness Courts will officially open on Wednesday, Sept. 20, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. (Rancho San Rafael) and 1 p.m. (South Valleys).
Join the fun with Archie, the beloved mascot of the Reno Aces, and demonstrations of the equipment by Fitness Court Ambassadors. Washoe County Commissioners will cut the ribbons alongside Renown Health executives.
These Fitness Courts were developed by Renown Health, Washoe County, and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state. Washoe County Parks are two of six outdoor Fitness Courts in a series of Fitness Courts presented by Renown Health that have been funded in healthy communities that are prioritizing health equity and world-class outdoor fitness. 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 for 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 may also 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.
“Proximity to exercise opportunities, such as parks and recreation facilities, has been linked to an increase in physical activity among residents,” said Brian Erling, MD, President & CEO of Renown Health. “Regular physical activity has a wide array of health benefits including weight control, muscle and bone strengthening, improved mental health and mood, and improved life expectancy. We are proud to bring additional access to exercise opportunities – at no charge, to everyone in our community.”
“Washoe County Regional Parks are places that invite the community to move, play, explore, and learn, and the Fitness Courts are a perfect complement to our mission,” Parks Superintendent Colleen Wallace-Barnum said. “We are so excited to partner with Renown and the National Fitness Campaign to bring this newest amenity to our parks.”
“National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Washoe County to the campaign as a leader in health and wellness for their residents. We look forward to their continued partnership and investment as a healthy community in Nevada,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign.
Residents are invited to attend the launch event on Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. (Rancho San Rafael) and 1 p.m. (South Valleys) to try the Fitness Court. For more information call Washoe311 at 3-1-1 or washoe311@washoecounty.gov. For more information on Renown Health’s support of NFC, please visit https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/nevada.
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About Renown Health
Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health.
About Washoe County Regional Parks
Regional Parks and Open Space is part of Washoe County’s Community Services Department. Our mission is to provide exceptional parks, open space and recreational opportunities while preserving our natural, historical and cultural resources. Washoe County manages over 12,000 acres including over 10,000 acres of open space, 49 parks, an Arboretum, developed trails, trailheads, athletic fields, golf courses, a campground, a shooting facility, an archery facility, a museum, and more.
About National Fitness Campaign
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.
