AARP funds Utah's First FitLot in South Salt Lake

It is no surprise that the ‘City on the Move’ is now home to Utah’s first FitLot. The new outdoor exercise station adds to the recently opened Bickley Park at 2508 S. 500 East in South Salt Lake. The outdoor fitness station was generously donated by AARP and designed by FitLot. Fostering an active community, the grant from AARP includes three years of programming which will ensure free fitness instruction classes at the FitLot.

“Our City is always finding new ways to invest in people. Mental and physical health are a big challenge for many community members, and the pandemic made this especially acute. We knew one solution would be to encourage more outdoor fitness, and to our great pleasure, AARP and FitLot made this happen at just the right time. I couldn’t be more thrilled to open the first FitLot in Utah and create an active space to foster healthy aging,” said Mayor Cherie Wood.

As a natural advantage, the FitLot location is alongside the Salt Lake County Columbus Senior Center. Known for serving our seniors meals and providing indoor classes, fitness, and camaraderie, this outdoor space will provide another way to promote their physical health as well as mental wellbeing. The FitLot is accessible to all and free classes and instruction will also provide an equitable fitness option for community members of all ages and abilities.

“This outdoor amenity is the perfect addition to our Bickley Park. We were so excited to design it as an all ages, all abilities playground and at last have a park next to our community center,'' said Sharen Hauri, South

Salt Lake Director of Neighborhoods. “We sought to create multigenerational play, and the addition of a FitLot fully supports that vision. The center is a home base to a Promise SSL youth program, Head Start preschool, recreation leagues, too. It is another great way for parents, grandparents, and the whole community to stay active and spend time outdoors.”

The FitLot aims to serve adults in all aspects of their lives as they age. As explained by AARP Utah State Director Alan Ormsby, “There is abundant scientific evidence that says it's never too late to start getting healthy. For adults, ages 50-plus especially, the impact of the pandemic on their health has been challenging, but most are committed to regaining control of their physical and mental well-being. Not only is exercise a key way to maintain that physical health, but it can also impact the ability to cope with stress. People are living longer, and we need to make sure they are living healthier, too!”

“We look forward to energizing our residents here - no matter their age or fitness level,” said Aaron Wiet, Director of the SSL Recreation, “One of our main purposes is to enhance the quality of life for all residents and keep our community strong, and the new FitLot does exactly that.”