Shelby Township Senior Center opens new outdoor fitness park

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Thanks to grant funding, the Shelby Township Senior Center recently received a brand-new outdoor fitness park for local seniors to use.

The Outdoor Fitness Park is free for all senior center members to utilize. To be a senior center member, one must be at least 50 years old and pay an annual $5 fee for Shelby Township and Utica residents and a $10 fee for nonresidents. The outdoor fitness park is open during the Shelby Township Activities Center hours of 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and with varying hours on weekends.

Due to the Community Development Block Grant funding used to fund the outdoor fitness park, it will be for senior guests only. The equipment is designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced users and targets cardiovascular health, muscle strength, balance and flexibility. There is equipment and free weights. The equipment includes two cardio walkers, a step-up bar vault, a leg press, a shoulder rotator, a chest press, a set of dumbbells ranging from 5 to 25 pounds, a bench/incline press with tension bands, multiple yoga mats and a jump rope.

For more information on each piece of equipment, there are instructions on each individual machine.

Joe Youngblood, the parks, recreation, maintenance, nature center and senior center director, said the project was made possible by the grant.

“Our new outdoor workout area is located on the back of the Activity Center and for members 50 years and older. Workout area was built with CDBG funding and has been a great hit for our members. Top of the line equipment for a full body workout. We are very excited about the new addition,” Youngblood said.

Construction on the outdoor fitness park was completed in late July. It is located behind the activity center building at 14975 21 Mile Road, close to the northwest corner of the building.

Amy Drake senior center coordinator, said the staff is very excited about this new addition. 

“The Outdoor Fitness Park represents a unique exercise opportunity for all seniors, regardless of fitness level,” she said.

Cindy Martel, the assistant director of the senior center, nature center and parks and recreation, said officials are very grateful for this project.

“We are very grateful that we were able to utilize Community Block Grant Development funding to build this new and innovative outdoor fitness park for the seniors of our community. It’s a great experience for the seniors to utilize low impact exercise equipment while enjoying the great outdoors,” she said.