The city of McDonough received a grant in October 2024 for a new outdoor fitness court. They approved the court’s installation in January 2025. It will be at Avalon Park.
The city is using ARPA dollars to cover its part of the installation. The local cost is an estimated $250 thousand. They received $30,000 from the National Fitness Campaign.
Outdoor Fitness Court at Avalon Park
Some Henry County residents may be familiar with the fitness court at JP Moseley Park. The county opened it in summer 2024. The new outdoor fitness court at Avalon Park will match. It is from the same company. Their website offers the following description about the court:
The Fitness Court – The World’s Best Outdoor Gym
The Fitness Court® is designed to provide a full body workout in only seven minutes, all for free in the great outdoors. Rotate through all seven zones: Core, Squat, Push, Lunge, Pull, Agility and Bend on The Fitness Court® for a circuit training workout that will have you full of energy.
National Fitness Campaign website accessed October 22, 2024.
The organization will contribute $30 thousand towards the cost of installing an outdoor court. Remaining costs to the city have an estimate of $248,500. This includes the purchase cost, concrete pad for its foundation and install costs. McDonough will use ARPA funding for this purchase.
In October 2024, McDonough Parks Director Brandon Williams expressed the city’s goal to install the new court this spring. Specifically, they plan to install it in March-April. The city hopes to host the grand opening by May 2025.
On January 2, the council approved a price quote for the concrete pad. Jeff Sullivan Concrete Services provided a quote of $30,250. The council also approved the fitness court’s location at Avalon Park. The exact location within the park is to be determined. Council member Varner asked staff to ensure the court’s location does not interfere with the park’s existing concept plan.
The city considered four criteria when selecting Avalon Park. Factors were visibility from roadways, accessibility, connection to existing sidewalks and other nearby amenities. It is McDonough’s goal to install additional courts in the future. Some other locations under consideration include Alexander Park West, Alexander Park East, Richard Craig Park and Jonesboro Road Park. After selecting Avalon Park for the first court, the other parks will be considered later.
Featured image shows the outdoor fitness court at JP Moseley Park. Henry County photo.
