Activities, music, and battle of the badges to take place at opening of new Fall River Fitness Court®

(FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS – JULY 31, 2023) — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross), Fall River, and National Fitness Campaign today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® to Fall River. The Fitness Court, located at Britland Park on 73 Wordell St., will open August 23rd at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The opening was originally scheduled for the 8th but was postponed due to weather. It was then rescheduled to the 15th but postponed again due to weather.

This Fitness Court was developed by Blue Cross, Fall River and NFC to expand free access to high quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state. The Fitness Court is an outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.

Created with people aged 14 and over and 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.

“Blue Cross is committed to helping people live healthy lives and eliminating the physical and social barriers that lead to health disparities,” said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We’re proud to partner with NFC and Fall River to launch a Fitness Court that will provide Bristol County residents a communal gathering space and access to premiere free outdoor fitness opportunities.”

Bristol County is one of 15 outdoor Fitness Courts in a series of Blue Cross Fitness Courts that are currently open or will be constructed in easily accessible public spaces this year. Blue Cross’ sponsorship of NFC is part of the company’s strengthened corporate citizenship commitment to promote health justice in communities across the Commonwealth. Over the next five years, Blue Cross will provide $16 million in grants and volunteer support to not-for-profits working to address food, environmental and racial justice in Massachusetts communities. This work supports the company’s overall pledge to be a leader in addressing health inequities across the Commonwealth.

“Every day, we are looking to improve our parks for the health of residents. The Fitness Court is an addition to Britland Park and a great way to give the community an accessible and cost-free fitness resource to benefit them,” says Mayor Paul Coogan.

“National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Fall River to the campaign as a leader in Massachusetts, championing health and wellness for their residents” said Mitch Menaged, founder of NFC. “We are proud to continue our mission of getting people moving outdoors and helping communities combat the fiscal and humanitarian costs of inactivity.”

The Fitness Court® features artwork by Abigail Collins. Collins is a photographer and mixed media artist based in Fall River, Massachusetts. She is a recent graduate of Bridgewater State University with a focus in studio art and art history. In her practice, she makes work that inspires others to be their authentic selves and connect with the world and people around them. She is passionate about her community and the people in it, which can be seen in her array of photographs, paintings, and graphic designs. Her work has been featured in local publications, as well as displayed in local galleries throughout Massachusetts.

When asked about her inspiration for responding to the Fall River Fitness Court call for artists, Collins explained, “As an artist, I’m always trying to challenge myself and inspire others around me to do the same. When submitting my work in the call for artists, I had multiple ideas about what this fitness court would mean to the city of Fall River. I wanted something vibrant, motivating, and unique that captured the essence of the court and appealed to everyone. My goal was to create a mural that was inclusive, and showed that fitness is something that can be accomplished by anyone, regardless of ability level. I hope that this fitness court is something that the community can use to come together and encourage people to achieve healthy lifestyles while living in the City.”

“We are proud to introduce the inaugural Fitness Court® in Massachusetts that showcases the remarkable artwork of a local artist.” said Ashley Occhino, Executive Director of FRACC, “This collaboration between fitness and art marks a groundbreaking moment, establishing Fall River at the forefront, leading the way in blending fitness and art, and creating a dynamic space that celebrates both physical activity and artistic expression. FRACC extends our heartfelt appreciation to the City of Fall River for their support in fostering local artistic expression and promoting a vibrant community.”

The vibrant energy of Abigail’s work is a fitting backdrop to the circuit training system, which provides a full body workout in less than seven minutes.

Residents are invited to attend the Launch Event on August 23rd at 10 a.m. to try the Fitness Court. The event will feature activities, music, and a battle of the badges between the Fall River Police and Fire Departments.

For more information, contact Mayor Paul Coogan’s Office at 508-324-2600. For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ support of NFC, visit https://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/massachusetts.