By Megan Alley
Sun staff
Twelve outdoor gym stations will be added to the walking trail in Batavia Township by August 1. The fitness equipment will be open to the public and free to use.
“When people go to the gym, there’s always pressure, and some people can’t afford to go to the gym on a regular basis,” said Batavia Township Trustee Randy Perry.
The Batavia Township walking trail, which was expanded about two years ago, is 1.25 miles long. It’s part of the township’s community center and park, located at 1535 Clough Pike.
“Anytime you go by [the community center], the trail is being used. It’s very active,” said Perry. “That was one of the really good things we’ve done to be all inclusive to the community, because there’s always people that want to get out and walk.”
The fitness stations are a cardio walker, pull down, chest press, push up, bench dip, body curl, captain’s chair, joint use chin up, leg press, balance plank, plyometric boxes and parallel bar.
“We went through a lot of the options that were available. We wanted to isolate the things that people would get more usage out of,” said Perry.
Five of the stations will include fitness equipment that meets American Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines. These stations will be dual stations, meaning that users will have two exercises available to them, for a total of 10 exercises on the trail.
“We’re just trying to be open to the community and inclusive to the community to benefit as many people as possible,” Perry said.
The Batavia Township Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the fitness equipment at their June 1 meeting. The cost, which is about $26,000, will be paid for by funds from tax increment financing.
The equipment will be spaced periodically throughout the trail. It will be set off to the side of the trail on concrete slabs.
“The path is quite active now with walking, and we’re hoping it will be even more active with adding the athletic stations,” said Perry.