Photo provided
Residents may get a chance to use exercise equipment will strolling along the recreation path behind the Rouses Point Civic Center.
ROUSES POINT — Residents may get a chance to use exercise equipment while strolling along the recreation path behind the Rouses Point Civic Center.
In July, village officials completed construction of a .2-mile connector path connecting a the pre-existing paved trail, resulting in a half-mile loop.
But improvements are far from over, said Jan Letourneau, member of the Rouses Point Fitness Trail Committee, as discussions are underway on adding outdoor exercise equipment.
Committee members are exploring working with outside companies to provide the gear, a measure they say will improved physical fitness.
When Karen Derusha, supervising public health educator for the Clinton County Health Department, pitched the connector path in April, the initial plan suggested adding stepping stumps, tree risers, climbing rocks, balance logs and tunnels.
The committee, Letourneau said, wanted to go bigger with the modern-looking pieces of outdoor fitness equipment that would be bolted down onto slabs of concrete and be available for year-round use.
The exact pieces of equipment, along with the costs, have not been finalized, said Letourneau. But the committee is currently seeking $5,000 from community members and other supporters for the workout stations, landscaping and signage.
“It’s a lofty goal,” Letourneau said. “But I’m hoping we can reach it.”
The committee started a fundraising campaign through IOBY “in our backyards” — a nationwide nonprofit designed to support local projects.
The New York State Health Foundation, through that organization, offered to match the $5,000. For every donation up to $200, the foundation will put up the same amount for a total of $10,000.
The campaign will end Sept. 30.
Letourneau said any leftover money from a previous $30,000 grant could go toward this second phase.
This proposed project will have no impact on taxpayers, said Mayor Daniel Letourneau.
“Ever since the trail expanded, we’re seeing a lot of use and it’s getting a lot of positive feedback,” he said. “This is just another positive change for the future.”
Once fundraising is complete, the committee will move onto the research stage and purchasing products. Their hope is to install everything by spring 2017.
To make a donation, visit ioby.org/project/rouses-point-fitness-trail. Checks can also be mailed out to “ioby” with “Rouses Point” on the memo line and can be given to one of the committee members or mailed to ioby at 540 President St., 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
For more information, visitrousespointny.com or call Jan at 297-6921, Lisa Turner at 297-3384, Sara Dupee at 297-3758 or Kim Lapan at 297-6079.
