Groundbreaking Held for Outdoor Fitness Area at Warren City Park

The Warren Woman's Club and City Officials break ground for the future Outdoor Fitness area of the Warren City Park.

A good crowd was present Tuesday, October 6th at the Warren City Park on Martin Street to break ground for the installation of ten pieces of outdoor fitness equipment to be placed in the park for public use.  The addition to the park is a joint venture of the Warren Woman's Club and the City of Warren.  A large contingent of the Woman's Club membership was present for the ceremony along with city officials and local business leaders as well as other interested citizens.

Jan Smalling addresses the crowd on behalf of the Woman's
Club.

Jan Smalling made remarks on behalf of the Woman's Club and Warren Mayor Bryan Martin spoke for the City of Warren.  Present representing the city were Alderman Dorothy Henderson, Alderman Marty Reep and Chairman of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, Angela Marshall.  Renious Harton , Director of the city's parks department and park custodian Jackie Harding were also on hand.

The proposal to install the equipment in the park came up in 2014 during a meeting between Woman's Club member Diane Purvis and Mayor Martin and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Maribeth Frazer.  Mrs. Purvis said the idea came to her while spending time at the park with her five year old grandson.  She thought the park needed more activities for adults while utilizing the facility.  Part of the purpose is to use the park as a weapon to fight the obesity epidemic.

Fitness Equipment is in storage ready for installation.

The entire project will cost around $12,000.00.  The Woman's Club is donating $5000.00 and the City of Warren through an appropriation by the City Council will put in $7000.00.  The equipment will be installed in the near future.

Also attending the ground-breaking was Chase Emerson with United State Senator John Boozman's office.  Mayor Martin indicated that further improvements to the park are planned as the city secures funding.

Right:  Mayor Martin and Jackie Harding at the Ground-breaking ceremony