By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
The significance of getting outdoors and being healthy was a major topic addressed by city leaders at a recent Prattville City Council meeting, in which two big decisions were made that could go a long way to promoting the health and wellbeing of the area.
The first of the two measures was a resolution, which would authorize the release of funds for the purchase of equipment through Omnia Partners Public Sector Purchasing Cooperative, from GameTime c/o Struthers Recreation LLC for brand new playground equipment for the Parks and Rec Department at a net cost not to exceed $1,135,922.41. The resolution was passed unanimously.
According to Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie, the Pratt Park playground is a part of the Tier I Parks Projects. The current playground will be replaced with a new and modern ADA accessible playground, which will provide a layout that is wheelchair-friendly and broaden the scope of the existing structures.
“This all-inclusive playground is for our community and invaluable to the quality of life in the City of Prattville,” Gillespie said.
As well as a new and better playground for families to enjoy, the city council also took up a measure to add something brand new to the community that will actively promote health and fitness.
The measure, which was also passed by all members of the council, would authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement to adopt and allocate funds for an Outdoor Fitness Court as part of the 2022 National Fitness Campaign at a total cost not to exceed $177,350 (net cost to city not to exceed $127,350).
The National Fitness Campaign, founded in 1979, is a nationwide movement and public-private partnership program that supports community wellness by bringing people outside to exercise every day.
The campaign is based around a free outdoor gym called “The Fitness Court,” which features seven functional training zones—Core, Squat, Push, Lunge, Pull, Agility and Bend—as well as thousands of bodyweight exercises and digital programming for adults of all ages and abilities.
The court will also allow users to connect to a fitness app that can be scanned onsite and access all the exercises as well as join local classes.
The City of Prattville applied through the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama grant as a part of the new partnership in Alabama to provide up to 10 grants in 2022 to assist in funding and bringing free outdoor fitness opportunities to the state.
“We applied and went through the grant requirements and process and were awarded one of Alabama’s first $50,000 grants to join the campaign,” Gillespie explained.
The mayor said that these types of projects are close to home for him.
“One of the first projects when I came into office as mayor was improving the sidewalks in downtown,” he said. “Due to these improvements, we have seen a drastic increase, especially since COVID-19, in our citizens utilizing the sidewalks and outdoor recreational areas. Upgraded and new quality of life opportunities are what bring communities together, start traditions, and create lifelong memories. These improvements and additions will contribute to more free public outdoor recreational opportunities. These projects provide fun and healthy activities for all ages, which are imperative to our thriving City.”
The Fitness Court will be located at the corner of Doster Street and Selma Highway, adjacent to the community garden beside the library, which is along the Creekwalk in Historic Downtown Prattville.
