Huntsville’s first Fitness Court opens at John Hunt Park

PXL 20221110 200917022 — The new fitness court features art design by world-renowned artist Keith Haring. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

The City of Huntsville joined forces with Arts Huntsville to help open the city’s first fitness court Thursday, located at John Hunt Park. The new fitness court is one of multiple courts that will open in the city, thanks to a partnership with the National Fitness Campaign.

An NFC Fitness Court is an outdoor bodyweight circuit training center that provides a free full-body workout. Check out this one at John Hunt Park!

PXL 20221110 200810942 — The NFC Fitness Court at John Hunt Park is one of four that will be built in the city. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

According to the NFC, the Fitness Court is accessible and designed for people of all abilities. Users can rotate through seven zones, leveraging their bodyweight at different angles and levels of resistance to improve their performance over time. The court is suitable for those ages 14 and up.

The Huntsville locations of the NFC Fitness Court are made possible through a partnership with the City of Huntsville and Arts Huntsville. The city voted in January to establish National Fitness Campaign Fitness Court installations at four local parks:

Apollo Park
John Hunt Park
Legacy Park at Johnson Legacy Center
California Street Park

The courts at Legacy Park and Apollo Park should be ready by the end of 2022, and the installation at California Street Park will occur in 2023.

Bringing art and fitness together

PXL 20221110 195833573.PORTRAIT — The design at the court at John Hunt Park is by artist Keith Haring. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

Mayor Tommy Battle joined Huntsville Parks and Recreation Director James Gossett and Arts Huntsville Executive Director Allison Dillon-Jauken at the opening of the court Thursday to highlight the installation featuring artwork of world-renowned artist Keith Haring.

“With the Keith Haring Fitness Court at John Hunt Park, visitors will interact with artwork they may not otherwise see outside of a museum. In the months ahead, they’ll be able to experience other artwork at fitness courts in city parks across our community.”
Arts Huntsville Executive Director Allison Dillon-Jauken

The court at Apollo Park will feature designs by Jean-Michel Basquiat, while the court designs at Legacy Park and California Street Park will come from local artists.

“It’s fantastic to see artwork incorporated into our public projects across the city. It’s even more meaningful to see artistry wrapped into wellness, and we thank our partners at Arts Huntsville for leading this effort.”
Mayor Tommy Battle

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