Genesis donates outdoor fitness equipment

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By Steve Trainor | Friday, September 5, 2008 4:21 PM CDT | () comments

Sue Gerace of Davenport, Iowa, does push-ups using the outdoor fitness equipment at the Eastern Avenue Fitness Park on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, in Davenport. Gerace said she uses the equipment about four times a week since it has opened. (Andrew Link/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

You can now improve your strength and balance for free if you’re using Davenport’s bike path.

Genesis Health System has donated an outdoor fitness set-up, comprised of nine stations. It’s just north of 29th Street on the east side of Eastern Avenue. Walkers, joggers, and bicyclists can stop and work on other parts of their fitness regimen.

“This is the best outdoor equipment I’ve ever seen around the country,” said Dan Sherman, Davenport’s director of parks and recreation.

The equipment has been up about a month and with all the use it’s been getting, the city thought it was time to alert the rest of the community.

The idea came from a conversation a year ago between Sherman and Ken Croken, a Genesis vice-president. Croken had seen outdoor equipment similar to this when he lived in Florida. He says it’s more common in southern states because this equipment couldn’t withstand northern winters.

When Sherman heard about the new, steel equipment, he asked Croken if Genesis could donate it to the city.

“It met with our mission of public wellness that can’t be matched with a pill,” Croken said.

“And it’ll be around until you and I are fit,” he added.

Genesis spent about $13,000 for it all while the city spent about $15,000 for the rubberize surface, which improves both safety and comfort for users. Part of the city’s money will also go for landscaping, park benches and trash barrels.

Mayor Bill Gluba was on hand and said, “As far as we know this is the first of its kind in the Midwest and it’s cutting edge.”

Gluba said that Genesis might be able to offer a second set of equipment in another year or two.

Two possible locations are Centennial Park downtown or Fairmount Street near the library.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.