AARP Dedicates Fitness Park in Topeka

Shawnee County Commissioners Join AARP to Dedicate the Topeka Free Fitness Park

Topeka, KS – Topeka’s Willow Park in the central part of the city is the home of one of the nation’s 53 AARP sponsored free fitness parks organized by FitLot. AARP has been funding construction of these exercise parks in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The exercise park, the only one of its kind in Kansas, was officially dedicated during a ceremony on October 3rd with all three Shawnee County Commissioners, Aaron Mays, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn, participating.

The FitLot fitness park was installed in Topeka in 2020 in commemoration of AARP’s 60^th Anniversary. The exercise lot features stationary equipment that can be adapted to meet a wide range of fitness levels and abilities. In addition, the park is providing three years of free fitness classes for the local community which are currently ongoing in Topeka.

“We’re thrilled that this FitLot gives the Topeka community a space to play and stay healthy,” said Glenda DuBoise, AARP Kansas State Director. “AARP has a strong commitment to local communities and we hope that this park will serve as a destination for residents who want to use the free exercise equipment and take advantage of the free classes that are being offered.”

 “The FitLot has been a very popular addition to Willow Park and, thanks to a contract with AARP, we’ve been able to offer free community exercise classes taught by an instructor,” said Tim Laurent, director, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. “This is a great example of how the FitLot exercise park and our parks in general add to the quality of life in Shawnee County.”

Since the first fitness class held in October 2020, 230 participants have signed up for classes, which includes the current session that began on September 26. Twenty-three different classes have been offered, including eight introductory classes and 14 series classes. For those wanting to take advantage of upcoming classes in 2023, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/topeka-ks-willow-park-31362820649

Each outdoor fitness park structure is approximately 1,400 square feet in total and complete with safety surfacing and a sun canopy. The structure itself is designed in a circumference to enable circuit training courses and provide a well-rounded workout experience to the user. 

To learn more about AARP's work in communities, visit aarp.org/livable.