MONTICELLO, NY — The Monticello Central School District has a new Fitness Court—an outdoor gym that will be open for community use. 

The court, which opened July 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, is located on the campus of Monticello High School at 39 Breakey Avenue in Monticello, NY. It’s by the school’s lower parking lot, adjacent to the tennis courts.  

The Monticello Fitness Court is designed to provide a full-body workout using body-weight exercises. It consists of seven stations that target different muscle groups and is suitable for people of all fitness levels. Each station includes instructions and QR codes for accessing guided workout routines via a mobile app.

The Fitness Court initiative is spearheaded by the National Fitness Campaign, which partners with municipalities, schools, and sponsors to raise more than $100 million to combat obesity and the burdens of sedentary lifestyles. Its goal is to bring “the world’s best outdoor gym — The Fitness Court — within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.” More than 100 have been installed throughout the country.

In 2022, Sullivan County manager Josh Potosek asked Sullivan 180—an organization dedicated to improving health in Sullivan County—to help facilitate a location for the MVP Health Care Outdoor Fitness Court. Monticello was selected based on its health outcomes, need, and opportunities. The school district agreed to host the new outdoor gym on its property, which is near several local housing complexes.

Funding for the Fitness Court was made possible by Sullivan 180, NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Garnet Medical, WSUL Heart-a-thon, Sullivan County Legislative Discretionary Funding from Luis Alvarez, Nadia Rajsz and former Legislators Ira Steingart and Alan Sorensen; MVP Health Care and the National Fitness Campaign.  

The Monticello Fitness Court will be open to the public when school is not in session.