The trails at Joe Ford Nature Park now have 10 stations that feature outdoor workout equipment, a project completed both to give visitors an interactive experience and potentially draw a new crowd to learn about the location.
Using a grant to fund the project, the City installed a “Fit-Trail” system. Fit-Trail systems are self-guided and self-paced. The exercise stations easily accommodate one person or groups of people. There is no need for supervision, reservations, or scheduling starting times.
The Fit-Trail contains instruction signs and exercise equipment designed for the novice or conditioned athlete. The wood is weather-treated pine and the hardware is galvanized steel.
Each station offers something different, ranging from simple stretching to bodyweight exercises such as pushups, pullups, and situps.
The routine has been designed to include exercises for flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, and muscle endurance. The system also includes a “target heartbeat range guide” located at stations.
The equipment was fully installed a few months ago, according to City of Owensboro Parks Director Amanda Rogers.
The park is located near the corner of U.S. 60 West and the bypass at 3870 W. 2nd St.
Rogers said Deborah Branch, a previous director at the Joe Ford Nature Center, was the driving force behind getting the Fit-Trail system.
“(Branch) is the one that said we should add something that might draw a new group of people to our park for fitness purposes, that would spread knowledge about the location in a different way,” Rogers said. “She helped write the grant. She helped solicit the funds and donations.”
Rogers said the park is open from daylight to dusk daily.
