Fitness Court coming to Lion's Park

OSBURN — A fresh look is coming to a familiar local park.

Paige Olsen, newly appointed Executive Director of Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation, spoke with members of the Osburn City Council about a Fitness Court being installed at Lion’s Park.

“My first week on the job, I was approached by the National Fitness Campaign, and they asked if our area is interested in bringing a fitness court to the area. I talked about the one in Smelterville, and they thought this would be the perfect fit,” Olsen said to the group.

The national fitness campaign describes its mission for the fitness court as “Changing the way America thinks about fitness. With 200 fitness courts, our campaign is growing. From college campuses, to city parks and trails, we are bringing free fitness everywhere, and we are just getting started.”

Each Fitness Court is integrated with shock-resistant sports flooring and supports functional fitness movements that allow up to 28 individuals to use the court simultaneously.

The National Fitness Campaign can be very picky about what cities they choose to have a court. Olsen explained that Lion’s Park is right off the bike trail, off the main highway, has ample visibility and is located in a fitness-minded recreation area. These factors were exactly what the campaign was looking for as a location for the court.

The campaign also offers a grant for $30,000, which Olsen applied for and received to put toward the court.

After hearing Olsen’s pitch, the council was in agreement. They were for it as long as the insurance for the current park wasn’t going to go up astronomically. However, after speaking with the company that handles insurance, it was discovered that the Fitness Court falls under the umbrella of playground equipment. Therefore the insurance will only be raised by around $20.

The city of Osburn is currently looking into renovating the current Lion’s Park and will add the Fitness Court to the eventual renovation. SVEDC and the park committee are planning a “Big Town Small Hearts” Park Project kick-off directly after the Loyalty Day parade on April 30 at the Lions Park. There will be a bounce house, treats, and more information about the plans for the park. The Shoshone News-Press will continue to follow this story.