New, state-of-the-art outdoor fitness equipment is ready for the public to try in Jordan Park.

Department of Parks & Recreation crews completed installation of 15 exercise stations this week. They range from leg press to elliptical, and focus on giving park patrons an opportunity to complete a full body workout. The fitness equipment is located next to the basketball courts, on the site of a former playground.

The old playground equipment was removed as part of a community build and a new playground installed at an alternative site in the park in June 2015, leaving the space next to the basketball courts open for the exercise equipment.

The Parks Department staff spent a little more than two weeks preparing the site and installing the equipment. One-hundred-fifty yards of mulch were added to the site to ensure the safety of participants using the fitness complex. The equipment, manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc., was purchased through capital improvement monies from the Trexler Trust for just over $49,000.

“I’m very pleased that we are able to offer this unique opportunity to Allentown residents to work out for free in beautiful Jordan Park,” said Lindsay L. Taylor, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “We want our residents and park visitors to be able to enjoy the parks and be physically active, and now they will be able to get a great workout, outdoors, for free.”

“I could not be more pleased with the progress we are making at Jordan Park,” said Mayor Ed Pawlowski. “The resurfaced basketball courts, the new playground and now the outdoor fitness equipment offer our residents both young and old an opportunity to exercise in the outdoors. The pool is currently being evaluated and design plans are being put together for a complete renovation next year.”

For more information on upcoming park improvement projects, visit www.facebook.com/allentownparkandrec or www.allentownpa.gov/parks.

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