Newsroom | 2026 News Releases

State-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court^® coming to the Village Green

PALOS PARK, Illinois — The village of Palos Park, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court and digital wellness programming to the village. The Fitness Court, 8901 W. 123rd St., will open 5:30 p.m. June 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

This Fitness Court was developed by the village, BCBSIL and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets participants use their body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. 

Created for people at least 14 years old of all abilities, the Fitness Court workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court app, a coach-in-your-pocket that expands the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. The village is one of more than 25 campaign partners building a network of Fitness Courts statewide with BCBSIL's help.

"I'm excited to bring the National Fitness Campaign Outdoor Fitness Court to Palos Park because it creates another opportunity for residents of all ages and abilities to stay active, connect with one another and enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces. Investing in health and wellness is an investment in our community," said Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters.

“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining personal health and reducing health care costs,” said Katie Cangemi, BCBSIL's senior program officer of community investment. “BCBSIL is committed to promoting better health in our communities, and this Fitness Court makes it easy for anyone at any fitness level to get a good outdoor workout, connect with neighbors and stay healthy.”

“We are excited to have Palos Park join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said NFC Founder Mitch Menaged. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the Palos Park community.”

Residents may attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and try the Fitness Court. For information, visit the village’s Facebook page or contact the recreation and parks department at 708-671-3760. For information on BCBSIL’s NFC support, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/Illinois.

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ABOUT PALOS PARK
Palos Park is a community unlike any other, a place where nature, history, and community come together. Residents enjoy a small-town feel, beautiful surroundings, and a shared commitment to preserving the character and quality of life that make Palos Park home.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving nine million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court — the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. 

Media Contacts

Palos Park
Stephen DeFalco
sdefalco@palospark.org
708-671-3760

BCBSIL
Tamara Gibson
media@bcbsil.com

NFC
Sarah Morgan
sarah@nfchq.com
831-601-2438