February 28, 2025
Stafford Township residents gathered in celebration as the community officially launched the outdoor Fitness Court at Nautilus Park—the first Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Fitness Court to open across the state. With civic leaders, health advocates, and local officials in attendance, the ribbon-cutting event marked another milestone in NFC's mission to provide free access to world-class outdoor fitness opportunities across the country. The campaign continues to grow across New Jersey with over 15 Fitness Courts already open across the state, driving greater access to equitable outdoor exercise opportunities, reinforcing NFC's commitment to nationwide health and wellness.
The Fitness Court was made possible through NFC’s partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Stafford Township, reinforcing NFC’s commitment to improving community health and well-being. As the state's leading health solutions company, Horizon BCBSNJ is dedicated to fostering healthier communities by providing access to innovative wellness programs. Their commitment to transforming health care in New Jersey extends beyond traditional medical services to initiatives like the Fitness Court, which aligns with their mission to improve overall well-being through increased access to free physical activity. Serving approximately 3.5 million members, Horizon BCBSNJ continues to lead efforts in making New Jersey a healthier place to live.
As the first Horizon BCBSNJ Fitness Court in New Jersey, the Fitness Court at Nautilus Park is particularly significant as it sets the stage for future installations across the state. The initiative aligns with NFC’s broader goal of installing Fitness Courts nationwide to provide equitable access to exercise for people of all abilities.
“It’s a wonderful space, and it’s multi-faceted for every age and every ability,” said Stafford Township Recreation Director Jason Hazelton. “This park gets used so much, and this is where much of the population is concentrated. So to add something like this and provide this to the residents, from kids to seniors, we’re super proud to have this as part of the Stafford Township recreation program offerings.”
NFC worked closely with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to bring this Fitness Court to life. Renee Woodside of Horizon highlighted why this initiative is so important.
“NFC came to us several years ago and proposed the idea to see if we wanted to spread these Fitness Courts throughout New Jersey,” Woodside said. “As we learned more about it, and how it provides access to free physical activity, we were very interested. Horizon is really committed to serving our communities, and to have a healthier New Jersey, we need to provide places for people to be healthy. By giving people access to physical activity and exercise, especially outdoors, which is good for both physical and mental health, we believe it’s an important step toward having a healthier New Jersey.”
Stafford Township Mayor Robert Henken, along with members of the township council, expressed their enthusiasm for partnering with NFC to bring this new fitness amenity to the community.
“As mayor, I have made a commitment, along with the township council, to create a more inclusive and healthier community. We do that in the decisions we make for the community on a regular basis,” Henken said. “I look forward to formally opening the Fitness Court to the public and thank NFC and Horizon for making this a reality.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony also featured a demonstration on the new Fitness Court by Stafford Township Community Policing Officer Anthony Vincent and Patrolman Tyler Szwed, showcasing the versatility and accessibility of the Fitness Court’s workout stations.
The launch of this Fitness Court aligns with the New Jersey Mayor Wellness Campaign, a statewide initiative providing evidence-based tools and strategies for mayors and community leaders to improve the overall health of their communities. With over 400 communities participating, NFC is proud to support Stafford Township as it joins this movement for better health and wellness.
Further demonstrating the impact of this Fitness Court, the Stafford Pathfinders Walking Wellness group, a dedicated organization of volunteers, has already incorporated the Fitness Court into their regular Tuesday and Thursday walking sessions. This activation highlights the immediate success of the facility, creating structured opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged on the Fitness Court in the years to come.
With around 30 attendees, including members of The Stafford Leader and The Sandpaper press outlets, the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the latest success in NFC’s nationwide campaign to make fitness free and accessible.
As Stafford Township embraces this new addition, NFC remains committed to supporting municipalities across the country in their pursuit of healthier, more active lifestyles. The Fitness Court is now open for public use, inviting residents to experience its state-of-the-art design and take the next step in their wellness journey.
