A Perfect Fit for Georgia
Hobgood Park in Woodstock, Georgia is the location of a new outdoor fitness destination thanks to a statewide initiative by Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) and GameTime. The initiative included educational workshops presented by PlayCore throughout the state. GRPA agencies who attended these workshops learned research-based best practices in the areas of outdoor recreation, adult fitness and increased physical activity for children. Once the workshops were complete, attendees applied for matching funds from GameTime toward new recreation products to put research into action.
One of the agencies awarded matching funds was Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (CRPA). Officials wanted to bring more opportunities for adults to exercise outdoors and worked with Dominica Recreation Products, GameTime's exclusive representative in Georgia, to design the perfect outdoor fitness space. The new outdoor fitness installation includes GTfit Fitness stations that provide cardio, core, balance and strength training for a total body workout.
Adults take their workout outdoors with the new GameTime Fitness Area in Hobgood Park
“With the increase in urbanization, recreation agencies are always seeking creative ways to offer outdoor spaces and activities to residents, and this new outdoor component is an ideal option,” said Jordan Wood, parks division director at CRPA. Hobgood Park was the ideal location for an adult fitness park as it attracts families throughout the region for regular sports and recreation activities. The park is the site of four softball fields, six baseball fields, two batting cages, an artificial turf athletic field, four tennis courts, two horseshoe pits, a playground, a half-mile track, three pavilions, and four picnic areas. With the addition of the outdoor fitness area, adults can exercise while children play.
The fitness area at Hobgood Park provides all four elements of a well-rounded fitness routine.
Because CRPA designed the fitness area with best practice research in mind, PlayCore designated the park as a National Demonstration Site for Outdoor Adult Fitness. The site has been added to a national register and will be included in data collection and educational outreach regarding adult fitness spaces.
The new outdoor adult fitness space at Hobgood Park is now open to the public. There are plans to complete another fitness area at nearby Veterans Park this year.
