Front Royal Welcomes New Outdoor Fitness Station at Burrell Brooks Park

Front Royal’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) and Warren County Parks & Rec have successfully collaborated to install a new outdoor fitness station at Burrell Brooks Park on Criser Road. This initiative, aimed at enhancing access to outdoor recreational opportunities for the community, was made possible by a $24,000 grant from the Virginia Outdoor Foundation’s Get Outdoors Fund.

The new fitness station includes 10 workout stations, including monkey bars, side planks, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips, and vertical climbing.

The grant covered the cost of the fitness station, delivery, and installation. At the same time, Warren County Parks & Rec and the Public Works Departments invested significant time and effort in preparing the site and overseeing the project. From start to finish, this project took a year to complete, showcasing the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved.

ACES member Justin Proctor expressed his excitement: “We strongly believe that our town and county have the potential to become an exemplary community in terms of healthy living, recreational opportunities, and connectivity with the great outdoors. Building more engaging and diverse infrastructure to promote this type of active, healthy living is one of our strategies for achieving these goals.”

The new fitness station is a robust structure designed for adults and youth, accommodating up to 14 users. It features 10 workout stations, including monkey bars, side planks, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips, and vertical climbing.

Community Collaboration

This project was a true community effort, with many partners contributing to its success:

• Front Royal’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES)
• Parks and Recreation Department: Dan Lenz & Dana Winner
• Public Works Department: Travis Jones, Lee Cockrell, Kody Showers, and Anthony Corathers
• Finance Department: Kimberly Henry
• Architect: Fred Andreae
• Engineer: Richard Ruckman
• Virginia Outdoors Foundation: Emma L. Weaver
• KOMPAN Direct Sales Representatives: Jim Konecny & Dwayne Craft
• Triple J Construction
• Warren County Building Inspections Department
• Town of Front Royal Planning Department

Explore other recent additions while visiting Burrell Brooks Park to try out the new fitness station. Check out the wilderness-themed mural painted inside the shelter by RMA’s ARTATAK club and enjoy the shade and beauty provided by the trees planted by the Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards over the past decade.

Future Plans

Given the positive impact of parks on the community, ACES is considering adding more playground features to local public spaces. If donors, local businesses, or organizations are interested in collaborating on future projects, they are encouraged to contact ACES member Justin Proctor at c.justin.proctor@gmail.com.

With the new outdoor fitness station and ongoing enhancements, Burrell Brooks Park is set to become an even more vibrant hub for healthy living and outdoor activities in Front Royal.