Riverton, IL- September 28, 2026 — The Village of Riverton, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® and digital wellness programming to The Village of Riverton. The Fitness Court®, located at Field of Dreams, will open October 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This Fitness Court® was developed by The Village of Riverton, BCBSIL, and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court® is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.
Created for adults of all abilities aged 14+, the Fitness Court® workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court® App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. The Village of Riverton is one of 30+ Campaign Partners building a network of Fitness Courts across the state, with the help of BCBSIL.
“As we were putting together plans for the expansion of Field of Dreams, we were looking for new things we could bring to a riverton that would encourage residents to go outside and engage in activities for overall health and well being. When we heard about the possibility of a fitness court, it fit into our plan. Special thanks to the National Fitness Campaign that helped us with the grant process and the planning to bring the fitness court to fruition. The grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and donations from the community made it possible. We hope the citizens not only enjoy this fitness court but will enjoy the many other features and amenities that will be added to this park over the upcoming months, said Joe Bartley Village President.
“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining personal health and reducing health care costs,” said Katie Cangemi, senior program officer of community investment, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “BCBSIL is committed to promoting better health in our communities, and this Fitness Court makes it easy for anyone at any fitness level to get a good outdoor workout, connect with neighbors, and stay healthy.”
“We are excited to have Memorial Health Foundation, MJ Kellner, CassComm, INB Bank and Joe Bartley join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court®, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the Riverton community.”
Residents are invited to attend the launch event on October 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm to try the Fitness Court®. For more information, visit riverton.illinois.gov, or contact Village Hall at 217-629-9122. For more information on BCBSIL’s support of National Fitness Campaign, please visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/illinois.
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About the Village of Riverton
Riverton is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Riverton had a population of 3,532. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. Riverton was incorporated as a Village on Aug 16, 1873.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving nine million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court®– the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
