While exploring downtown Harrison, Arkansas on a family trip a few months back, I noticed a nice little park a block off the courthouse square. The park, Lake Harrison Park, had the typical playground and picnic tables with a few miles of walking/biking trails around a lake. The best part of the park though was several inventive fitness stations (see picture below). These were not your typical cardio / calisthenics type fitness stations. These are actual weight machines that utilize your body weight.
After a little bit of research I found that these fitness stations were installed through a grant program through Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention. Here's the full explanation from the website -
"Boone County received $2,500 ($6,578 requested) to implement Joint Use Agreement training in support of its “Community Fitness Area: Middle School EAST Lab Attacks Obesity” program in Harrison. Harrison Middle School East Lab Students (5th & 6th grade) identified the potential to increase access to physical activity through the installation of additional outdoor fitness equipment on the Lake Harrison Trail between three schools, three low-income neighborhoods, and the downtown business district – reaching a potential 3,250 individuals. Two students presented their proposal to the City Council, resultin in Resolution 1125 that defined a partnership between North Arkansas Partners for Health Education (NAPHE), Harrison Middle School East Lab, and the City of Harrison. Three pieces of outdoor fitness equipment were purchased – a pull up and dip station, lat pull down station, and dual leg extension station." (Source: http://www.arkansasobesity.org/ghc/history/)
- Marie Oehlerking, Project Design Assistant
