FARMINGTON -- Park planners know adults like to play, too.
The city is installing 15 "ninja warrior-style" fitness stations as part of a $2 million expansion to Creekside Park, between Hunter Street and Broyles Avenue.
The obstacles, being built by Clevenger Recreation of Little Rock, will allow people to test their agility, strength, endurance and balance.
The City Council approved a $206,700 bid from Power Play Lt. and ACS Playground Adventures for the Fitcore Extreme Obstacle Course.
Sherry Mathews, chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, championed the course, saying she wanted something extra for adults to do at the park.
Mathews said the surface should be finished by July 29, but she didn't know when the course would be open.
The expansion includes a new playground for older kids, two lighted tennis courts and two lighted basketball courts, bathrooms, pavilion and walking trail.
The park also will have benches, picnic tables, grills and bike racks.
Mathews said she heard people talking about waiting to use the stations, including friends who go to fitness centers and several firefighters who plan to use it for training on their own.
"I think it's going to be great," Mathews said. "When you see it from the road, it's an eye-catcher. There's definitely not another one like this in the area."
Mike Clevenger with Clevenger Recreation said each station has signs giving directions or photos on how to use the equipment. For the last station, a person will attempt to climb a fireman's pole and ring the bell.
Clevenger said his company is installing lots of extreme fitness stations because of the popularity of shows such as American Ninja Warrior.
"A lot of parks are adding adult fitness stations to their playgrounds," he said.
Mayor Ernie Penn points to Mathews as the leader who pushed for the Fitcore stations for adults.
"For a park, you just think about the kids," Penn said. "But adults like to play, too."
He said the course will cover a lot of people, especially those in their 20s to 50s who are into fitness and challenges.
"It's pretty cool stuff. I won't be able to use it, but a lot of young adults will," he said.
Penn said he hopes the project will be completed by mid-August, but he's not quite ready to give a definite date.
NW News on 07/18/2019