Donated fitness station to be installed at Prescott Park

MEREDITH — The selectboard unanimously approved installing a calisthenics station donated by a local business owner, and made a plan to hold a public hearing about accepting a vehicle donation from the Greater Meredith Program to water gardens around town, during their meeting Nov. 9.

The calisthenics fitness station will be installed near the basketball court at Prescott Park. The idea was first proposed at the Sept. 28 meeting, by Parks and Recreation Director Krystal Alper. Eric Wilson owns Human Performance Specialists, a remote fitness coaching company, and has offered free fitness clinics, and the station, on his dime.

The station will create an active recreation opportunity, complementing other amenities at Prescott Park. According to a report by Alpers in meeting materials, one station is being proposed, and others could be considered in the future. Since the park is used by residents for all kinds of purposes, the station would give walkers a chance to incorporate strength, stretching and mobility activities into their routines.

The new station would support activities like pull-ups, pushups, core and flexibility exercise, strength and conditioning, individual workouts, and group workouts. Alpers said it will be free for public use.

“He’s donating all of it,” Alpers said, referring to Wilson.

The selectboard voted 4-0 to approve the installation of the station.

“I think this is something that would become popular in the park,” said Chair Steve Aiken.

Discussion around including a sign with instructions and indicating it was donated by HPS happened at the Sept. 28 meeting. Board member Mike Pelczar said the town may not allow that, as it is viewed as a commercial advertisement. Alpers said Nov. 9 that Wilson was willing to install the station regardless of the signage.

The selectboard will vote on the sign at the Monday, Nov. 23 meeting, when the full board is present. Mike Pelczar was absent from the meeting.

GMP donation

Alpers also met with the selectboard to discuss the donation of a utility vehicle equipped with a water tank to be used to water gardens and flower beds. If approved, it would be purchased by GMP, which maintains gardens and landscaped areas throughout town.

Alpers told the selectboard there are nine flower beds that don’t have easily accessible water, and volunteers are running hoses and watering cans multiple times a week in the summer heat. Sometimes, this is done more than once a day.

Jim McFarlin, volunteer for the Greater Meredith Program, told the board he was tasked by the GMP Design and Beautification Committee to research available equipment. He narrowed it down to a pair of 2,600-pound, diesel powered vehicles through Kubota and John Deere.

McFarlin said there is a budget of about $25,000 for the vehicle, which includes delivery, and $5,000 was built into the budget to outfit it with a water tank, hose reel, water pump, and necessary straps.

“It’s a very versatile vehicle for the town, because you can use it for the better part of the year,” McFarlin said.

McFarlin said this is a benefit to the town and volunteers taking care of the gardens. With the vehicle, volunteers can save themselves trips back and forth. They can park it, wheel the hose out, and water appropriately. He said lugging hoses and equipment isn’t practical and sustainable.

“We’re not getting any younger,” McFarlin said.

McFarlin asked the board to “say yes to our wonderful gift to the town.”

There will be minimal fiscal impact to the town. GMP will also cover fuel, repairs, and replacement costs.

Ongoing responsibilities of the town would be maintenance, annual registration, water for the tank, insurance, and storage.

Selectboard member Jeanie Forrester praised the idea, but asked about scheduling. Alpers said the ultimate goal is for watering plants, and there are certain hours of the day which are ideal to do that. The vehicle can also be used by other town departments if necessary, although the GMP and the town’s gardening club will take priority.

Selectboard member Lynn Leighton, past president of the GMP, knows well what the watering entails. It takes place early in the morning, sometimes at night, and could be as often as five times a week.

A public hearing is required to accept the donation, as it eclipses $10,000. Interim Town Manager Michael Harper said it will take place at a future selectboard meeting, with the date to be determined.