Keith Haring Fitness Park planned at Kutztown University receives $50,000 grant

Kutztown University has received a $ 50,000 grant to support the Keith Haring Fitness Park it is helping to create.

KU, which is building the park with Kutztown Community Partnership and other entities, received the grant from the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Initiative.

Set to open in the fall on KU’s campus at Baldy Street and Normal Avenue, the Keith Haring Fitness Collection is an outdoor, public art collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation in New York and Outdoor Fitness Court, and the National Fitness Campaign.

The fitness court will feature a 32-foot by 35-foot outdoor bodyweight circuit training system with 30 pieces of body-weight fitness elements, including seven full-body circuit training stations and a body-weight training wall.

Haring’s art will be incorporated into every element.

T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program is a $ 25 million, five-year initiative to support people and organizations in small towns across America by providing money to kick-start new community development projects, the company said in a press release.

Grants are given every quarter to up to 25 small towns.

Kayla Sherry, KU Class of 2023 student body president, said in a university press release that the grant will help ensure Haring’s legacy is a prominent part of campus.

Haring was a legendary activist and artist who revolutionized pop art through his graffiti-like pieces full of abstract lines and colorful flairs, KU officials said. His 1980s illustrations grew out of the New York street culture and have become a widely recognized visual language to many.

“We are thrilled and excited that T-Mobile recognized our commitment to helping our area citizens and college students stay active at every age and stage of life,” said Sandy Green, community liaison and government relations assistant at KU. “We believe this fitness court will provide a unique opportunity for the local community to have more access to achieve that goal.”

Officials announced in April that the project had received a $ 100,000 state grant.

The project cost is $ 200,000 plus maintenance expenses.

The KU Foundation is now raising funds and accepting inquiries for sponsorships at give.classy.org/fitnesscourt.