RIVERTON, Illinois — The village of Riverton, 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 at Field of Dreams will open 5 p.m. Oct. 5 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The village, BCBSIL and NFC developed the Fitness Court to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise across the region. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym where people 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. Riverton is among more than 30 campaign partners building a network of Fitness Courts with help from BCBSIL across the state.
“As we were putting together plans for the expansion of Field of Dreams, we were looking for new additions we could bring to Riverton that would encourage residents to get outside and engage in activities that support overall health and well-being," said Village President Joe Bartley. "When we learned about the opportunity to develop a Fitness Court, it fit perfectly into our plans. Special thanks to the National Fitness Campaign, which helped us through the grant process and planning efforts that brought the Fitness Court to fruition. The grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, along with donations from the community, made it possible. We hope residents not only enjoy this Fitness Court, but also the many other features and amenities that will be added to the park in the coming months."
“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining personal health and reducing health care costs,” said Katie Cangemi, BCBSIL 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 Memorial Health Foundation, MJ Kellner, CassComm, INB Bank and Joe Bartley 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 well-being within the Riverton community.”
Residents may attend the launch and try the Fitness Court. Visit riverton.illinois.gov or contact Village Hall at 217-629-9122 for information. Visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/Illinois for more information on BCBSIL’s support of NFC.
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About Riverton
Riverton is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Riverton had a population of 3,532. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. Riverton was incorporated as a Village on Aug 16, 1873.
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.
VILLAGE OF RIVERTON
Stacy Patterson
pattersonstacy11@yahoo.com
217-629-9122
BCBSIL
Tamara Gibson
media@bcbsil.com
NFC
Sarah Morgan
sarah@nfchq.com
831-601-2438