Fitness Court Celebrates Official Opening with Ribbon Cutting | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

JAMES CITY COUNTY— The Fitness Court officially opened on Oct. 24 with a celebratory ribbon cutting, equipment showcase, and a “Battle of the Badges” relay contest.

James City County partnered with the National Fitness Campaign in Virginia, sponsored by Aetna,  to bring a state-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court and digital wellness programming to the County. Funded by a grant from the Williamsburg Health Foundation, the Fitness Court was explained to have been developed to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state.

The Fitness Court in James City County is the first in the Tidewater area and ninth in Virginia.

The equipment was created for ages 14 and up and features exercises that have adaptable skill levels. Users are encouraged to download the free Fitness Court App, which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and transforms the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. 

According to statistics collected and analyzed by the Williamsburg Health Foundation, the Greater Williamsburg area population experiences health issues related to obesity, type 2 diabetes, aging and social isolation — each of which are risk factors for declining health that can be managed or prevented with intervention and lifestyle changes. Deanna Van Hersh, the Foundation’s President and CEO, notes that the community Fitness Court aligns well with the Foundation’s mission and its strategic focus to increase opportunities for physical activity and social connection in the community.

“We are so fortunate in James City County to have the outstanding Parks and Recreation facilities that we do and to have one more really cool thing I think is so great and is what makes our community so unique in what we offer,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Ruth Larson.

Multiple individuals involved in the project were invited to cut the ribbon before fitness instructors showcased the equipment to attendees. The examples showed varying degrees of difficulty for all skill types.

After the “Battle of the Badges” began, members of the James City County Fire Department and Police Department went head to head in a three-on-three relay. The competitors were challenged to showcase multiple exercises on the equipment before moving on to the next person. The competition ended in a tie between the two teams.

To learn more about the Fitness Court, visit the official website.