May 27, 2025
St. Tammany Parish, LA – May 2025 — St. Tammany Parish has taken a bold step forward in its commitment to healthy living with the launch of two new state-of-the-art Fitness Courts®, in partnership with National Fitness Campaign (NFC). The new outdoor wellness hubs are located along the historic Tammany Trace at Camp Salmen Nature Park and Koop Drive, offering residents and visitors alike a new way to enjoy fitness in the heart of nature and community.
Community leaders, residents, and fitness enthusiasts gathered for a celebration that honored both the Parish’s history and its future. Surrounded by ancient oaks and local families, guests explored the new open-air Fitness Courts—free, world-class outdoor gyms designed for all fitness levels—and took part in live workout demos, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and local festivities.
“The Tammany Trace is designed to give our citizens access to physical fitness, while celebrating the beauty of our Parish. Our citizens will now have more options with these state-of-the-art Fitness Courts on both sides of our parish,” said Parish President Mike Cooper. “I thank NFC for their partnership in boosting physical fitness in St. Tammany.”
As Louisiana’s only rails-to-trails conversion and a Millennium Legacy Trail honoree, the Tammany Trace is already a treasured regional destination. The addition of these Fitness Courts—open-air gyms designed for adults of all ages and fitness levels—further enhances the Trace as a hub for movement, connection, and outdoor recreation.
Located in Slidell, the new Fitness Court at Camp Salmen Nature Park is steeped in Louisiana history. Visitors can now exercise steps away from the Camp Salmen Lodge, a structure dating back to the early 1800s that once served as a major trading post and ferry crossing. Surrounded by towering pines and winding trails, the site blends heritage and health in a way only St. Tammany can.
On the western side of the Parish, Koop Drive in Mandeville is home to the second Fitness Court. This ADA-inclusive park attracts families, school groups, and visitors from across the region. With its popular playground, antique caboose, and proximity to the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, the new fitness installation adds another reason to gather and get active.
In a celebration of local culture and creativity, both Fitness Courts also feature original murals by regional artists, transforming each site into a destination where public art meets public health.
At Koop Drive, Covington artist and City Councilmember Joey Roberts created “Hometown,” a mural that captures the essence of life across St. Tammany Parish. With a background in kinesiology and a personal passion for fitness, Roberts was inspired to submit a design that reflects the towns that shaped him. “I had an image of Polaroid shots coming to life in my head,” Roberts said. His mural showcases snapshots of communities including Abita Springs, Pearl River, Mandeville, Slidell, Covington, Lacombe, Madisonville, Sun, and Folsom—each filled with personality and place-based pride.
At Camp Salmen, Mandeville-based artist Mandie Manzano brought her whimsical, nature-inspired style to life with “Romp in the Swamp,” a vibrant mural brimming with playful Louisiana wildlife. “When I saw the contest, this playful scene just popped into my head,” Manzano said. “Alligators in boats, raccoons trying to fish, a pelican superhero, and even some froggy bodybuilders.” Manzano, whose career has included collaborations with DreamWorks and Warner Brothers, believes in the healing power of art and aims to inspire joy through her colorful creations.
By integrating expressive artwork with accessible wellness infrastructure, the dual installations invite residents to move their bodies and ignite their imaginations.
St. Tammany Parish continues to lead by example, demonstrating how wellness, culture, and creativity can come together to enrich community life. The launch of these two Fitness Courts marks an exciting milestone in the Parish’s ongoing efforts to enhance public spaces, promote health equity, and celebrate the vibrant identity of every town within its borders.
With these new installations, residents from Slidell to Covington, from Mandeville to Folsom, have new opportunities to move, connect, and thrive—right along the Tammany Trace’s "31 miles of paved perfection.
