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City staff, parks partners push for fitness court grant at Jim Roberts Community Park
Summary
Parks staff and community partners presented a plan to install a National Fitness Campaign outdoor fitness court and a 0.25-mile walking loop at Jim Roberts Community Park and asked the commission for letters of support to strengthen a pending grant application.
Lisa Devers, parks staff, told the City of Franklin City Commission that the parks department and community partners have submitted a National Fitness Campaign grant application to install an outdoor fitness court at Jim Roberts Community Park and to add a 0.25-mile walking trail and future playground expansion.
Devers said the fitness court is an all‑weather, concrete pad roughly the size of a tennis court with fitness equipment on one side and an open studio area on the other for group classes such as yoga and senior fitness. The project would be phased, Devers said, with the fitness court as phase one and playground and parking expansion as later phases. "The first component of this fitness, or wellness hub, would be the fitness court, and that would be phase 1 with the proposed openings in May of 2025," she said.
The presentation described the court surface as replaceable in sections, low maintenance aside from periodic pressure washing, and suitable for programming by the parks department. Devers said the estimated award amount from the National Fitness Campaign would be $40,000 to $60,000 per park; she described a possible cost share split among the city, county, and park organization if awarded. Devers also described ongoing sidewalk work and a civic group's fundraising toward an inclusive playground at the site.
Commissioners asked about timeline, funding and whether the commission could provide a letter of support. Devers requested a letter of support and said the campaign awards four to five grants per state on a first‑come, first‑served basis; she asked that a letter be ready by the commission's next meeting to improve the city's chances. Commissioner Powell and others noted heavy year‑round use of park walking routes and said a downtown location for facilities could increase access for residents without transportation.
No formal action or vote was recorded on providing the letter during the meeting. Devers said a decision would help with next steps in marketing and partnership outreach and that she would follow up with commissioners who requested more information.
