Parsons city officials, members of the Parsons Revitalization Organization and members of the Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission accept a Growing Healthy Communities Grant Wednesday. Pictured are, front, from left, Sydney Haltom, AmeriCorps Volunteer; Dr. Cynthia Kolsun, PRO Member and ON TRAC Liaison; Kennetha Greenlief, Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission President; back, from left, Dorothy Judy, Parsons Mayor; James Judy, PRO Chairman; Bruce Kolsun, Parsons City Council; Lynn Phillips Regional Representative for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin; Connie Collins, Parsons Recorder; and Melissa Jones, Parsons City Council.
PARSONS – Mill Race Park in Parsons is a great place to go and swing, picnic, walk and purchase goodies at the Farmer’s Market. Beginning this June, Mill Race Park will offer another attraction – LifeTrail outdoor fitness stations geared to folks at any fitness level.
The eight stations, each featuring three different fitness levels, are made possible by a Growing Healthy Communities grant for $22,118. Lynn Phillips, Regional Representative with Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s Office presented the award to officials from PRO ON TRAC, Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission and the City of Parsons.
“Primary, this is a $25,000 grant,” Dr. Cynthia Kolsun, PRO Member and ON TRAC Liaison, said. “The rest of the grant was in the form of in-kind from PRO and the City of Parsons.”
Kolsun said the eight workout stations will be installed in June. “Each one has three stations, and one will be an introductory station. It helps folks build strength in their upper or lower body and their core. Folks can take breaks during their walk and go through the stations. One of the stations is ADA assessable for folks in wheelchairs.”
Kolsun said a lot of the assembly will be completed by volunteers and the group plans a celebration day when completed to introduce the new stations to local residents.
“With these stations, we are trying to give people more time to spend in Parsons,” Kolsun said. “We want folks to enjoy what we have. Mill Race Park is so beautiful anyway, and this gives folks one more reason to visit the park.”
Kolsun said the grants were competitive and awards were up to $25,000.
“These stations were a project that the Park Board looked at prior, but they did not have a funding source,” Kolsun said. “So when we had the opportunity to go for this money, we were looking for something that would benefit the residents the most. So, we thought we would give it a try. We are so thrilled to receive this grant. When the weather is nice, people do like to be outside and this gives folks a reason to come to Mill Race Park and work out.”
Kolsun said folks who are planning to ride the bike trail might want to use the fitness stations to loosen up before riding. “We think there is a lot of benefit for these stations.”
Kennetha Greenlief, President of the Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission, was excited for the grant.
“This equipment will be built of heavy gauge steel and is designed to last in outdoor environments,” Greenlief said. “They will be painted in vibrant colors with a durable powder coated finish. The best part is they require minimal maintenance.”
Parsons City Administrator/Treasurer Jason Myers said he thinks the residents will utilize the stations.
“These fitness stations will give our walking trail an added attraction that no other trail in our area has to offer,” Myers said. “Each station will be equipped with an information board showing the person using the equipment how many calories they’ll burn while operating the equipment. This project is also a good example of community partnership; it brought PRO ON TRAC, the Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission and the City of Parsons together, united as one group with the same goal of improving the quality of life in the community.”
Myers said PRO ON TRAC worked diligently to improve the economy in downtown Parsons by rehabilitating abandoned buildings and recruiting businesses in the 300 Block of First Street.
“Even though they are busy on numerous projects, it was great that they took the time out of their busy schedules to apply for this grant,” Myers said.
Members of the Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission will select the locations for each of the new fitness stations at Mill Race Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission maintenance crew and Parsons City Public Works Crew will work together installing the stations.
Parsons City Mayor Dorothy Judy said she is excited for the new exercise stations.
“These are all outside and are simple to complete,” Judy said. “A child or an adult can do these exercises and one will be geared for folks in a wheelchair.”
The West Virginia Development Office administers the Growing Healthy Communities Program, with funding provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The program provides competitive grants for West Virginia Main Street and ON TRAC communities for activities that increase community health and wellness.
