FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHTON PARK, May 30, 2025 – On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the Village of Richton Park will be holding an exclusive ribbon cutting to unveil their much anticipated outdoor Fitness Court at Pierce Park - improving and enhancing the quality of life for residents. This capital project is a featured part of the 2025 initiative launched by National Fitness Campaign (NFC), a nationwide wellness consulting firm that partners with municipalities and schools to plan, build and fund Healthy Communities. NFC’s award-winning initiative has planned more than 500 Healthy Communities and is poised to deliver vital outdoor wellness programs helping to fight the rising fiscal and humanitarian costs of physical inactivity. This year, Richton Park and dozens of other select recipients from around the country were awarded a $50,000 grant from NFC to help support the program.
“This is an excellent opportunity to connect and engage the residents of Richton Park, all while promoting a fun, active, and healthier lifestyle,” says Village President Rick Reinbold. “We are extremely grateful to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois and NFC for assisting us in kick-starting this initiative and being able to bring such a valued amenity to the Village.”
The new Fitness Court at Pierce Park was built to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise. This court is the world’s best outdoor gym and allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using just seven stations. Created with people age 14+ with all abilities in mind, the 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.
“We are excited to have Richton Park join us in the journey to health and wellness as we make a positive impact building healthy infrastructure across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the Fitness Court along with digital wellness programming demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the community.”
“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. “Blue Cross 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.”
Residents are invited to attend the Opening Day Launch Event June 18th at 10:00am to try the Fitness Court and learn about upcoming community wellness events and programming. For more information,
please visit https://richtonpark.org/FitnessCourt
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving 9 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. Learn more at bcbsil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
About National Fitness CampaignFounded 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 2025, 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.
