LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Hearts were pumping at the City of Lima's new fitness park, as a friendly competition between the Lima Police Department and the Lima Fire Department officially opened the park Thursday afternoon.
The City of Lima partnered with the National Fitness Campaign through the Ohio Mayor's Alliance to be one of the first in the state and the nation to install the fitness park. A $30,000 grant from the Mayor's Alliance to bring the outdoor gym to the residents of Lima and the area.
"We have some wonderful park spaces in our cities throughout the State of Ohio. But this is a unique space, really leveraging the unique creativity of this fitness park that's only been done in a handful of communities around the country. It's really cool to see Lima be in on the forefront of creating these unique spaces dedicated to helping ensure that we promote community fitness and community wellness," said Keary McCarthy, executive director of the Ohio Mayor's Alliance.
"It's for the young and young at heart. So, you make it as easy or hard as you like it to be. Of course, I always say, do exactly what your body will allow it to do. So if you know you can't do a jump squat, then just do what you can do on the mat. Skip, you know, jump in the squares. But do exactly what your body will allow it to do at the age that you are," explained Tesha Banks, lead fitness ambassador.
Banks will be holding free one-hour classes at the fitness park starting June 3rd. They will be Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 6 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 a.m. They will run through the end of August. Space is limited, and you must register at the city's website at https://www.limaohio.gov/ to participate.
You can use the outdoor gym on your own by using the QR code provided to get instructions on each part of the circuit. The fitness park is located south of the Ottawa River off West Eureka Street, between South Main Street and Elizabeth Street.
