(Greensburg, IN) – Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) celebrates the conclusion to a successful Fitness in the Park series and Trails of Decatur County project. These programs were designed to encourage our community to be active, provide free guided classes, and share information about local physical locations to exercise.
In 2022, DCMH, in partnership with the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA), gathered input from residents to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement to further enhance community health, as part of a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Upon completion of the CHNA, committees were formed to create action plans addressing those identified areas of need, incorporating insights from DCMH staff, community partners, and key stakeholders. One of the committees focuses on Physical Activity, Nutrition, Weight, and Diabetes. This committee was further segmented into a Trails and Parks subcommittee and a Nutrition, Weight, and Diabetes subcommittee.
The Physical Activity Committee was further segmented into each key area under the physical activity umbrella, including an outdoor physical activity sub-committee, a physical fitness sub-committee, and a Weight, Nutrition, and Diabetes sub-committee. With each sub-committee’s focus determined, DCMH staff contacted community partners and key stakeholders to form work groups to create action plans.
The Fitness in the Park series, organized by the Trails and Parks Subcommittee, consisted of nine completely free, one-hour classes, including Tae Kwon Do, two sessions of Power Core & Cardio, Boom Move, two sessions of Zumba, Stability, and two sessions of Yoga. All classes were held between May and June at the Rebekah Park Amphitheatre. Classes were taught in collaboration with The Decatur County Family YMCA (Instructors Bridget Eastwood and Dawn Ernstes), Tree City Martial Arts (Instructor Matt Boersma), Lisa Schwering, and Haseya Yoga & Healing (Owner/Instructor Becci Schutte). Attendees traveled from seven different cities and five counties to join the classes. They ranged in age from 11 to 72, speaking to the wide range of classes provided, offering something for everyone.
The Trails of Decatur County project included gathering information about six established, public walking and hiking trails in Decatur County. With that information, the committee then visited and walked each trail to generate a digital map, noted trail information and rules, and shared this information in multiple locations online and within local organizations. To see more information about these trails, visit dcmh.net/community-resources
The Fitness in the Park series and Trails of Decatur County projects were made possible by the partnership between DCMH and the Decatur County Community Foundation, the Decatur County Family YMCA, Decatur County Parks & Recreation, Economic Development Corporation of Greensburg/Decatur County, and the City of Greensburg. Additionally, a $1,000 grant from the Decatur County Community Foundation was awarded, allowing instructors for the Fitness in the Park series to be compensated (pictured).
Taylor Gramman, Operations Coordinator at DCMH, who is involved in the planning of events, committees, and activities, said, “Thank you to all class attendees, everyone who has utilized our local trails, and to the team who made this possible. All your work and collaboration made these events a success. I appreciate each of you and I look forward to what we can organize and accomplish in the future!”
(Decatur County Memorial Hospital press release)
