OCO Collaborates With Friends of Fulton Parks To Bulk Up Fitness At Van Buren Park in Fulton

by Contributor | October 18, 2017 7:04 am

FULTON, NY – Oswego County Opportunities IMPACT program is having just that; a positive impact on the fitness opportunities in Fulton.

Over the past year IMPACT has collaborated with Friends of Fulton Parks on several healthy lifestyle initiatives such as the Lake Neatahwanta Nature Trail Walk and the “Get Fulton Fit” wellness challenge.

“We’ve had great success with these initiatives,” said program manager Kyleigh Kinney. “More than 100 people participated in each trail walk and more than 75 community members have revved up their physical activity by being a part of our ‘Get Fulton Fit’ wellness challenge.”

Looking to build upon this momentum, OCO’s IMPACT program recently supplied Friends of Fulton Parks with a grant to purchase exercise equipment for Fulton’s Van Buren Park.

The new equipment, which includes an elliptical machine, an ab crunch/leg lift, and push/pull up bars, has been installed by the city of Fulton Parks and Recreation Department.

Soon, they will add a walking trail around the perimeter of Van Buren Park that will connect the existing tennis courts, pavilion and the newly installed fitness equipment.

A portion of the trail will run through shade trees that were planted last fall through an urban forestry project implemented by Karen Noyes of the Oswego County Department of Development, Tourism, and Planning, with the Atlantic States Legal Foundation.

The trees serve to protect the health of the Oswego River and Lake Ontario and were funded by a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“It’s wonderful that the city of Fulton, OCO and FoFP have come together to purchase and install exercise equipment at Van Buren Park,” said Fulton Sixth Ward Councilor Larry Macner. “We have received many positive comments and the neighbors appreciate what’s been done.”

“We are working hard to reclaim this park,” added Barry Ostrander, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department. “The planned trail around Van Buren Park may eventually connect with a future city-wide trail system .“

The collaboration between OCO’s IMPACT program and FoFP is a perfect fit in that it encourages a combination of exercise and outdoor activity.

“Our goal is to increase opportunities for Fulton residents to become more active,” said IMPACT program coordinator Inga Back. “Through the installation of this new outdoor exercise equipment and other work we are doing in the community, we hope to improve overall health and reduce rates of obesity and chronic disease in Fulton. OCO is thrilled to be part of these positive, collaborative efforts and appreciate the hard work being done by FoFP and the city Parks and Recreation Department.”

“This kind of collaboration is how we make positive change” added Kelley Weaver, president of FoFP and coordinator of the project. “We share a common goal in creating opportunities for unstructured outdoor fitness, and healthy living for Fulton residents. We’re seeing a lot more people using the tennis courts, taking walks, and having family gatherings at the picnic shelter. Those living near the park are telling us they enjoy the beauty and quiet nature of this park and are glad to see others enjoying it too. This fitness trail is a welcomed addition.”

Established with funding through the New York State Department of Health, OCO’s IMPACT program is focused on the prevention of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Through IMPACT, OCO is seeking to expand opportunities to be physically active and to improve access to healthy foods.

A private, non-profit agency, OCO’s many programs touch the lives of approximately 20,000 Oswego County residents each year.

One of Oswego County’s largest employers, OCO employs nearly 600 people and boasts a volunteer force of 1,200.

OCO strives to improve the quality of life in Oswego County by helping people, supporting communities and changing lives.

For more information, visit www.oco.org.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/oco-collaborates-with-friends-of-fulton-parks-to-bulk-up-fitness-at-van-buren-park-in-fulton/

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