Newsroom | 2026 News Releases

State-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court^® coming to Shawnee

SHAWNEE, Oklahoma — Shawnee Public Schools, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court and digital wellness programming to Shawnee Public Schools. The Fitness Court at Jefferson Elementary School will open 8:30 a.m. June 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

This Fitness Court was developed by Shawnee Public Schools, BCBSOK and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets participants use their body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations. 

Created for people at least 14 years old of all abilities, the Fitness Court workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court app, a coach-in-your-pocket that expands the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. Shawnee Public Schools is one of the first 10 campaign partners building a network of Fitness Courts statewide with help from BCBSOK. 

"Access is one of the most important factors in building a healthier community," said John Bobb-Semple, executive director of Pogo, Pottawatomie County's health and well-being community partner. "When we create spaces that are free, accessible and welcoming to everyone, we remove barriers and give people the opportunity to make physical activity part of their daily lives. The Shawnee Wolves Fitness Court is an investment in the health of our community, and we're excited to see families, students and residents of all ages use this resource for years to come."

 “As a company, we are committed to helping make Oklahoma a healthier state,” said Dr. Todd Hoffman, BCBSOK's chief medical officer.  “About half of all U.S. adults are not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives. We know an active lifestyle not only supports physical health, but it also helps improve mental health and fosters opportunities for social connections. By partnering with the National Fitness Campaign to provide free, outdoor gyms we can support the health of our communities and their families where they live, work and play.”

“We are excited to have Shawnee Public Schools join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said NFC Founder Mitch Menaged. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the Shawnee community.”

Residents are invited to attend the launch event and try the Fitness Court. For information about BCBSOK’s support of NFC, visit https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/oklahoma. 

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
For more than 85 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been committed to meeting the health care financing needs of Oklahomans. As the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 850,000 Oklahomans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court®– the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.  Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Shawnee Public Schools
Amanda Johnson
amajohnson@shawnee.k12.ok.us

BCBSOK
Tamara Gibson
media@bcbsok.com

NFC
Sarah Morgan
sarah@nfchq.com
831-601-2438