RiverFit: From Pop-up To Permanent

RiverFit Re-launch

MEMPHIS – The day is Thursday October 22, 2015, the time is 5:07 p.m., and at this moment anyone can see why Memphis is one of the best places to live. The temperature is 65 degrees, the sun is beginning to set on the Mississippi River, and Memphians are clocking out and making their way downtown to Riverside Drive for their daily workouts.   The Food Geek  and Mempop food trucks are on site to provide healthy and refreshing food options.

Local high school athletes are having a conditioning session, there  is a guy off to the side that appears to be on a mission to set the world record for most consecutive push ups, some little kids are attempting to do pull ups on the pull up bars, and of course across the street people are pusing themselves to the limit on the newly decorated stairs.  Clearly this is a place that everyone loves to come and exercise.

Thanks to the Grizzlies Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Riverfront Development Corporation, and Memphis’ City Parks and Neighborhood Division, patrons of the park will now have more fitness options when working out in the park.  Now, who says that people in Memphis  can’t work together for the greater good of the city?  Diane Terrell, Executive Director of the Grizzlies Foundation and Grizzlies Vice President of Community Engagement, worked tirelessly and hand in hand with the members of the aforementioned organizations to re-launch River Fit Park.

Last year during Memphis in May, the Grizzlies Foundation introduced the idea of RiverFit Park with a pop-up park.  Diane Terrell said “we promised all of you that if we had the opportunity to bring it back after Memphis In May that we’d bring it back better.”  Since last may the there have been several pop-up parks down by the river.  The  most recent one was back in August.  The park has received several enhancements including new signage,  updated the obstacle course, added a sit up station, and the Grit-N-Grind art on the stairs.  Research shows that park usage is up over the past year and more specifically there are more runners using the stairs for exercise.

“Health and fitness is our core business.  You don’t get to elite status as an NBA team without a focus on health and fitness.  We’ve extended that focus to the community” says Terrell.  Considering the fact that she is from Southern California, it should come as no surprise that the beach volleyball station resonates most with her.

I would have to agree with Janet Hooks when she says that the stairs will become just as much of a photo op destination as the I LOVE MEMPHIS mural over on Cooper St. People will now use working out as an excuse to come to the stairs to take selfies and “do it for the gram (do something solely for the purpose of posting it on Instagram)”.  Memphis’ Parks and Neighborhoods Division is glad to be a part of this project because for them it is an opportunity for parks to connect people in communities.  “This as an opportunity to bring your flavor of Grit-N-Grind and get healthy”‘ says Hooks.

Delta Groove Yoga will now provide yoga sessions in the park.  “I personally love to do yoga outside.  We have a studio, but it’s just natural to be outside in nature” says Olivia Lomax of Delta Groove.  The love of the Grizzlies and the Mississippi River made it a no brainer when the Grizzlies approached her about coming on board.   Lomax is happy about the kids activities being added because it make the park more family oriented.

Another enhancement to RiverFit park are the addition of rowing machines.  Simon Warren, director of Memphis Rowing Club, said “we are part of something that is a bit of an unusual sport and we’ve found early on that partnering with the Grizzlies is a good way to get kids involved and increase awareness of the sport.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield encourages people to be active and on the move for a healthy lifestyle.  River Fit Park definitely makes the exercise experience more enjoyable and for that reason Blue Cross Blue Shield  is pleased to do their part in making the once pop up park a permanent fixture at Tom Lee Park.

 

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