A rendering of a proposed calisthenics park in Port Angeles.                                A rendering of a proposed calisthenics park in Port Angeles.

A rendering of a proposed calisthenics park in Port Angeles. A rendering of a proposed calisthenics park in Port Angeles.

Calisthenics park in the works in Port Angeles

PORT ANGELES — A community effort is underway to raise money to build a new calisthenics park in Port Angeles that will feature a variety of training stations.

The calisthenics park would be located on city-owned property at the intersection of South Francis and East Fourth streets, just northwest of the Erickson Playfield tennis courts, said Jesse Banks, who is helping organize the initiative in cooperation with the city of Port Angeles.

“There is a flat area there that is a good spot for it — good open space,” said Corey Delikat, parks and recreation director.

“It will get well used.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Banks has already raised $12,000 in donations from the community to buy the exercise equipment — which is now in city of Port Angeles storage — but needs another $24,000 to purchase rubber surfacing on top of which the equipment will be installed, Delikat said.

Nor’Wester Rotary of Port Angeles will collect the donations on behalf of the project. Because Rotary is a nonprofit organization, donations are tax-deductible.

To donate, send a check payable to Nor’Wester Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 176, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Donors should specify the money is intended for the calisthenics park project.

If requested, donors will be sent receipts in January if they make a donation this month, Banks said.

“We are very grateful to the city of Port Angeles and Nor’wester Rotary for their support,” Banks said.

Once the fundraising goal is complete, the new park could be installed by summer 2017, Delikat said.

“We have [a] talented crew that can actually install playgrounds,” he said.

“A lot of municipalities don’t put in their own playgrounds. That is just part of the cost of hiring a playground company to come in and do that. In-house, we have installed all of our playgrounds.”

Because the calisthenics park will be free to use, “it is going to be a perfect addition to the recreation zone that Erickson Playfield has already become,” Banks said.

And, he continued, “it being next to the Dream Park will allow one parent to watch a kid while another parent works out and they can switch.”

Furthermore, Banks said he hopes that seeing people working out on the equipment will inspire others to do the same.

“We hope people will share our vision of a healthier Port Angeles and help make the Port Angeles Calisthenics Park a reality,” he said.

“We’ve got this going. Let’s finish it.”

There will be nine different stations at the calisthenics park, “and when you go in there, there is going to be a big sign that will [list] certain kinds of exercises,” Banks said.

To bolster fundraising efforts, Banks said personalized signs erected at each station will be available for sponsorships. Each sign will display the name of the sponsor.

Despite the high purchase price, the rubber flooring is essential, Delikat said, adding that once installed, it is virtually maintenance-free.

“When we put down gravel or wood chips, it really cuts down on the types of users who can use the facility,” he said.

“We are almost to the point where we require that [rubber] material. It is safe and it is clean and once it is down, you don’t have to worry about it.”

To illustrate the difference between a rubber surface and other more traditional means, Delikat referred to the Dream Playground at 302 S. Race St., which utilizes wood chips.

“We are constantly in there raking in the holes and leveling it out — adding chips,” he said.

Rubber flooring “is less maintenance,” he continued.

“It is actually no maintenance, really.”

Banks, a Port Angeles native and boxing instructor, said he began planning for the new calisthenics park in 2015 with his friend Phil Hutton.

He said he learned about calisthenics — a method of exercising by using body weight for strength training — and was impressed with the results in his own workouts.

A calisthenics park, he said, would provide the community with a free, safe and easily accessible place to work out, train, practice and reap the benefits of staying healthy by working-out outdoors.

Banks and Hutton later proposed the project to Delikat and the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee, which voiced support for the project if the duo could raise $12,000 to purchase the exercise equipment, Banks said.

“It was something that when he came to me was very exciting,” Delikat said.

“The parks commission loved the idea of incorporating exercise equipment in one of our busiest parks where there are a lot of options for kids to do.”

More in News

A mobile unit from the Jamestown Healing Clinic in Sequim drives to Clallam Bay on weekdays to provide treatment for 30-40 opioid use disorder patients in the West End. The program started last March. (Jamestown Healing Clinic)
Mobile health clinic treating patients on West End

Number of overdose deaths down, official says

Sequim School District administrators, staffers, families and supporters gather in Stymie’s Bar and Grill on Feb. 11 after they learned the district’s bond and levy proposals were passing. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim School District leaders celebrate results

Construction bond, EPO levy both pass

The 2024 Citizen of the Year finalists include, from left, Nicole Lepping, Ron Stecker and Blaine Zechenelly. (Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce)
Three named finalists for Sequim Citizen of Year

Three finalists have been named for the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Port Townsend Co-op employees narrowly vote down unionization

Organizers hope efforts have brought issues to light

Steven Becker and Delma Morrison, both of Sequim, peer into a display tank on Friday at the Feiro Marine Life Center at Port Angeles City Pier. The center features a wide variety of sea creatures on display as well as touch tanks and educational exhibits. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Life center display

Steven Becker and Delma Morrison, both of Sequim, peer into a display… Continue reading

Port Angeles woman files tort claim against city

Trespassing decision upheld after appeal

Heart-healthy luncheon slated for next Friday

Event chair: Women can experience different symptoms

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Road crews to prepare for fish passage work

Contracted road crews working for the state Department of… Continue reading

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Peninsula boards, commissions set to meet

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula

Two Totem Poles were missing from The Quileute Tribe’s 101 Building in Forks.
Missing totem poles discovered in Kitsap County

Totem poles believed to have been stolen from the… Continue reading