Cobleskill Recreation Commission and Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play have been working together to create opportunities for the community to become more active. Nick Iorio Park in Cobleskill is undergoing some major renovation including updating and increasing the offerings for all age groups and will have a grand re-opening on Sunday June 1st from 11-12:30.
Cobleskill Recreation Commission has been working with Parkitects to design an intergenerational park for the community to increase activity for all in a safe area and work has been partially funded through Creating Healthy Places as well as through community fundraisers. An adult and teen fitness area has been added for those 13 years and up to be able to work out while younger children are at the playground or are practicing on the fields. “Outdoor gym facilities like this are usually found in cities and are becoming more common in so that more people have access to the equipment, whether they can afford a gym membership or not. For much of the year it is nicer to be outside than to work out indoors,” says Maureen Blanchard, Project Coordinator with Creating Healthy Places. “When you work out, you naturally heat up so dressing in layers allows you to work out for much of the year.” “Schoharie County is a beautiful place to live and explore outdoors, now we can exercise outside as well”. Trainers from Fit Coalition will be on hand to demonstrate use of the fitness equipment as well as helping people become more comfortable using it.
In addition to the adult/teen fitness area, a new preschool area has been added creating a safe place for young children to play. This area will include areas to promote climbing, a slide and some activities that are accessible to less mobile children. The preschool area also has improved surfacing, making it safer for children to play on.
The renovated park will have a grand re-opening on Sunday June 1st at 11 am and the public is invited to attend. The park was installed in 1990 and has been an important part of the community. As we strive to get people to be more active, we need to update some of the facilities as we are doing here. Further improvements will be added in the near future, but additional funds need to be raised. In addition to the ceremonial grand opening, there will be a treasure hunt and obstacle course challenge for children, as well as face painting.
Refreshments will be available for those attending. Dress comfortably and be ready to try the new equipment while there.
Creating Healthy Places is a grant funded through New York State Department of Health to address the growing problem of obesity and its effects on chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Heart Disease. The Grant was awarded to SUNY Cobleskill in 2010 for 5 years with $875,000 coming into the community to work on access to fresh fruits and vegetables and places to be physically active. For more information or questions, please contact Maureen Blanchard, Project Coordinator at (518) 255-5294.
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