By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University, on March 31, dedicated a new walking trail on campus that has been two years in the making.
Sonia Tinsley, chair of LCU Division of Allied Health, coordinated the effort. She praised the support of the community, which helped make the project possible.
Major funding was provided by The Rapides Foundation, Tinsley said, in the form of two grants totaling nearly $135,000, that helped repair, widen and repave the fitness trail along with purchasing and installing exercise equipment to create fitness stations. Community support also came from CHRISTUS Health, Well-Ahead Louisiana (Louisiana Department of Health), Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition of Central Louisiana, the City of Pineville, Louisiana Athletic Club and Zion Hill Church.
Tinsley said the purpose of the project was to improve community access to physical activity opportunities by improving the fitness trail and installing exercise equipment.
“The exercise equipment offers a variety of aerobic, muscle/strength, core, balance and flexibility equipment to provide a well-rounded fitness routine,” Tinsley said. “We have been awarded designation as a National Demonstration Site™ for Outdoor Adult Fitness Parks from the company, PlayCore for using evidence-based design and best practices to promote physical activity. The Parrish Fuller Fitness Trail will be listed on the PlayCore National Demonstration site map. The fitness trail and exercise equipment can help individuals of all fitness levels engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, while enjoying the health benefits of physical activity.”
