March 29, 2024

Outdoor gym in the works for NWC

The progress on an outdoor gym was discussed at the Newton Wellness Coalition’s Wednesday meeting. The NWC received a grant for $1,500 from Theisan’s to go toward the gym that will be located at Sunset Park.

“It is more like a jungle gym for adults, but kids could use it, too,” NWC member Nathan Unsworth said.

The equipment could be used by adults for balance work, a variation of a weight room experience or rehabilitation. It could also be used by the neighboring community living facilities for a different kind of outdoor exercise.

“We would use it for actual outdoor rehab. Those are the sorts of things we set up in the clinic to have people do that sort of stuff, test balance. If it is in walking distance that makes it appealing,” said NWC member Robyn Friedman.

Dates were set for Newton TALKS, a series of presentations with people from different wellness backgrounds and experiences through out their lives. The talks kick off on April 9 and continue for three months on May 20, June 25 and July 18. The talks will take place at the arboretum with both morning and evening times to reach as many people as possible. Park Centre, Newton Village and First Newton National Bank are sponsoring the talks.

A Workplace Wellness Workshop held by the NWC is March 6 and the group talked about final plans and continuing to get the word out to local businesses. The event is designed to assist work sites with implementing successful wellness programs and provide resources, tools and specific ideas to introduce or expand wellness in the workplace. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch included.

Keynote speaker Heidi Long, director of health and well-being for WesleyLife will speak about ideas employers can take away from the conference back to their workplaces, along with ideas that could be implemented immediately. She will also speak about ways to get employees engaged and excited about wellness.

Future plans for the NWC include the Fourth of July parade and the spring wellness calendar. At last year’s parade, the NWC handed out bananas, which were a hit with the crowd. They discussed how to expand the idea with a potential stand or a theme having to do with the bananas.

The spring wellness calendar will cover wellness activities during April, May and June including outdoor events, diet and food classes and exercise opportunities. The current winter calendar is available to the public through the NWC covering activities through March.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com