PRESS RELEASE

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, City of Parsons, Parsons Recreation Commission and National Fitness Campaign Make Fitness Free for Everyone in Parsons

July 3, 2024
NFC Media Contact
Lindsay Valenti
lindsay@nfchq.com(518) 596-3944
Partner Media Contact
Rebecca Witte
rebecca.witte@bcbsks.com

State-of-the-Art Outdoor Fitness Court® Coming to Parsons

(PARSONS, KS – JULY 3, 2024) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), City of Parsons, Parsons Recreation Commission and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® to Parsons. The Fitness Court, located at Forest Park, will open on Tuesday, July 9 at 10am with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

This Fitness Court was developed by BCBSKS, City of Parsons, Parsons Recreation Commission 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 the world’s best 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. 

“We need more innovative solutions to address the physical activity needs of all Kansans. Solutions that will level the playing field and allow everyone a safe place to enjoy the outdoors and improve their health,” said Virginia Barnes, director of Blue Health Initiatives at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. “We believe that all people deserve this opportunity, and we are proud to partner with Parsons and NFC to show our commitment to improving the health of all Kansans.”

“National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Parsons to the campaign as a leader in Kansas, championing health and wellness for their residents” said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the community.”

The Fitness Court and wellness campaign is supported by local partnerships including Labette Health, Labette County, Labette Center for Mental Health Services, Inc., Parsons Chamber of Commerce and Bowen Pharmacy. 

Residents are invited to attend the launch event on Tuesday, July 9 at 10am to try the Fitness Court. For more information, contact Parsons Recreation Commission at 620-421-7077. For more information on BCBSKS support of NFC, please visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/kansas

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit www.bcbsks.com

About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court®– the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign welcomed its 500th healthy community in 2023, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of  every American. Follow along with National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com or on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.