The Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga has been working with The Howard School for a year to create a fitness trail to benefit the school and surrounding community. The efforts will culminate on Saturday with the completion of a 1.5-mile trail and 14 fitness stations at the school.
Last fall, Howard chartered a Kiwanis Key Club, a student-led organization that teaches leadership through service to others. “Since we were establishing a partnership with the students, it was only natural to look to Howard as the site of our club’s next project,” said Leigh Todd, Kiwanis Club president.
“We sat down with students, coaches, administrators and JROTC leaders to figure out what kind of fitness structures would most benefit the students. Once completed, the trail and fitness stations will enhance the training facilities for all of Howard’s students and athletic teams, as well as provide exercise opportunities for others in the community," Leigh Todd continued. "The design also includes picnic tables, benches, water stations and a children’s station.”
The fitness equipment has been provided by GameTime, a subsidiary of PlayCore. Construction of the trail began on July 22 and is expected to be completed and dedicated on Saturday.
Howard’s Key Club worked with the Kiwanis Club on a Kiwanathon fundraiser in April, which consisted of a pentathlon-styled event with five family-friendly competitive activities and teams sponsored by a dozen local businesses. A team sponsored by Southern Champion Tray won this year’s Kiwanathon. Other businesses that sponsored teams included: Miller & Martin, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Kohl’s, Elliott Decosimo, PlayCore, VOYA Financial, Atlantic Capital Bank, Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, SmartBank and Synovus Bank.
During construction, additional in-kind contributions and volunteer groups have been provided by Stowers Machinery, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Chattanooga Bakery, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 175, Ironworkers Local 704, Chattanooga Track Club. In addition, PlayCore’s employees have dedicated their annual Day of Caring to the final installation date. Miller & Martin employees have also dedicated the final installation date as one of its monthly community service days during the firm's 150th year anniversary.
To learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga, please visit www.kiwanishchatt.org
.