The City of Fort Walton Beach is looking to add a new Fitness Court to Ferry Park. The City Council unanimously passed Resolution 2024-5 on Tuesday, approving the application for a $30,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to help fund the project. 

• The total cost of the fitness court is $185,000, with the remaining funds coming from the Recreation Department’s budget ($100,000) and the city’s half-cent sales tax ($55,000).

During the meeting, Recreation Director Tiffiny Corcoran presented the project, highlighting the opportunity to take advantage of the NFC’s initiative to install fitness courts across the country. 

“The recreation department budgeted $100,000 in this year’s budget for fitness stations,” Corcoran said. “They have really cool fitness stations along with a $30,000 grant opportunity.”

The proposed fitness court will be located behind the tennis courts at Ferry Park, in-between the walking trail. Councilman Nic Allegretto proposed an additional $10,000 be allocated for a sunshade over the fitness court, making the project more attractive to users. 

• “When we are talking about grabbing a hold of some metal bars, and things of that nature, it might be a little bit more attractive to people who want to try it if it were shaded,” Allegretto said.

Corcoran said there were no recurring costs associated with the Fitness Court and it does come with a 10-year warranty.

A resident in attendance expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “As somebody who uses the walking trail at Ferry Park, I’m very excited about this and I think it’d be really good. If it’s too hot, I’ll wear gloves. I think it’s a great idea.”

The city will hear back next week on whether they have been awarded the $30,000 grant. If the grant is approved, the project will move forward with a total budget of $195,000, including the additional $10,000 for the sunshade. 

The fitness court is expected to be completed by the end of the 2024 calendar year, providing a free-to-the-public outdoor fitness facility for residents and visitors of Fort Walton Beach.

“This Fitness Court will be a great addition to our community,” said City Manager Jeff Peters. “Our goal is to get as many people active as possible and this just adds to the many great amenities that Fort Walton Beach already has to offer. Ferry Park is already a highly used park and this addition will make it even better!”