OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN SPONSOR
IN MASSACHUSETTS
Funding Outdoor Fitness Courts® across the state
Get a Fitness Court®Watch the Video to Learn More
Thanks to partnerships with municipalities, schools, and sponsors such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, over $100 million in public-private investment has been raised to combat obesity and the burdens of sedentary lifestyles. The Campaign provides expertise in building funding, masterplanning, and community building. NFC's mission is to build healthy communities with the goal of bringing a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.
The Growing Fitness Court® Network Across Massachusetts
Making World Class Fitness Free for Massachusettsans
The Campaign in Massachusetts is delivering outdoor wellness infrastructure to help communities stay active across the state, in an effort to change health outcomes. There are currently Fitness Courts® in 3 of the 14 counties in Massachusetts.
LEADING PARTNERS IN MASSACHUSETTS
State Affiliate Partner
In collaboration with NFC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association has championed the available grant opportunities to their members across Massachusetts. We are grateful for their support as we build a healthier Massachusetts.
Campaign Successes
Bridgewater State University
On a sunny fall day, the campus of Bridgewater State University (BSU) was buzzing with excitement as they joined the Blue Cross campaign – the first higher education partners in Massachusetts. Located in a prime spot on campus at University Park, the Fitness Court® is not only open to the campus community but the public at large. BSU’s athletic teams plan to use the area for training and programming. Classes will also be taught in the kinesiology and exercise-science departments, integrating the Fitness Court® directly into the curriculum. In the fall 2023 semester alone, Campus Recreation hosted 18 classes.
Malden, MA
Callahan Park, one of the City of Malden’s 30 parks, was selected as the official home of the city’s first Fitness Court®. Optimally located steps away from the city’s center with MBTA public transportation – Callahan Park provides equitable access to residents and visitors alike. With Malden High School less than one mile from the new Fitness Court®, the vision was put in motion for the City of Malden and Malden Public Schools to team up with Blue Cross and National Fitness Campaign to bring the campaign to the community.
Lee, MA
The Town of Lee joined the Blue Cross campaign in July of 2023 as the first campaign partner in western Massachusetts. The launch event brought out the entire community – nearly 100 people were in attendance as the Fitness Court® behind Lee Middle and High School was announced to the public. The collaboration between the civic and education leaders in the Town of Lee brought this vision to life for the small town with less than 2,000 residents.
Everett, MA
The first Massachusetts Campaign Fitness Court® launched in Everett in June 2022. The Glendale Park location provided the highest accessibility points for both walkability and bike-ability for Everett’s nearly 50,000 residents. Mayor Carlo DeMaria spoke at the launch event about how proud Everett is to open their state-of-the-art Fitness Court® for their community, highlighting the importance of maintaining health and well-being post-pandemic.
Chelmsford, MA
Positioned near the center of town and alongside the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, the City of Chelmsford was proud to launch their Fitness Court® in October 2022. The Fitness Court® at Town Hall Baseball Field is optimal for providing residents and visitors free world-class outdoor fitness in a public park they can walk, jog or bike along the rail trail.
Learn About the Sponsorship
Thanks to the sponsorship of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, National Fitness Campaign is bringing free, accessible, world-class fitness to change wellness habits across the state.
Jeff Bellows
Vice President Corporate Citizenship & Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
“Blue Cross is committed to helping people live healthy lives and eliminating the physical and social barriers that lead to health disparities. We’re proud to sponsor NFC to build Fitness Courts® in under-resourced communities across the Commonwealth that will provide residents a communal gathering space and access to premiere free outdoor fitness opportunities.”
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Mitch Menaged
Founder & Director, National Fitness Campaign
“As we continue our mission of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American, the National Fitness Campaign is proud to extend our sponsorship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Together, we're building a wellness culture focused on health equity to combat the rising costs of sedentary lifestyles.”
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Bring a Fitness Court® to Your Community
NFC is calling on Mayors, Civic and Education leaders, and Community Champions to join the urgent fight against sedentary lifestyles and preventable diseases. We can make a difference if we work together to increase outdoor movement and provide wellness activities that are equitable, accessible and free! Let’s build a free outdoor Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every Massachusettan, together.
Contact UsBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
