A new fitness court—featuring Virginia’s first-ever open-air fitness studio—officially opened at the top of Baldwin Park on July 30. The new space offers free, accessible exercise opportunities to the Martinsville community and is available during the park’s open hours.
“This is the first Fitness Court Studio in the state of Virginia,” said Kendall Davis, former public information officer. “I know we have other fitness courts here, but what makes this different is this, right here. It’s open workout space—space you can use for Zumba, for dance, for all types of fitness that don’t involve weights.”
The court is part of a national initiative promoting accessible public fitness spaces. Baldwin Park was selected for its increasing use as a community event hub, including recent celebrations like the Juneteenth Festival.
“This space is supposed to be enjoyed by the community,” one speaker said. “We’re pushing healthy hearts, encouraging people to extend their lives by just getting out here and moving.”
The project was a collaboration between the City of Martinsville, the National Fitness Campaign, Aetna, and the Harvest Foundation, which contributed a $70,000 grant. The court also features a Martinsville-themed mural celebrating the city’s athletic legacy.
“This mural behind me,” a city representative said, “is a testament to the Martinsville Bulldogs, to our school system. We believe we’re a city of champions. From swimming to basketball, football, band—we wanted this space to reflect all of it.”
Mayor L C Jones called the fitness court “a shining example of what partnerships can do for the health of our community.”
“I also want to thank our Public Works team,” Jones added, noting their role in evaluating multiple design drafts for the updated Baldwin Park. “And I want to thank you, the community. You’re the ones who are going to use this. You’re the reason health is becoming a focus here in the city.”
Sandy Strayer, program officer at the Harvest Foundation, emphasized the project’s accessibility. “This is a wonderful example of what it looks like when we align missions,” she said. “This studio is for any age, for any ability. It gives our community a place to gather, to connect, and to improve health.”
Charisse Hairston, executive director of the Fayette Area Historical Initiative, highlighted the historical significance of the site.
“If you don’t know, Baldwin Park used to be the football field for the former Albert Harris High School,” Hairston said. “It’s significant that we’re continuing that legacy here.”
Hairston also noted that professional athletes, including former NBA and WNBA players, recently returned for the Juneteenth Festival held at the park.
“We’ve got a new museum exhibit coming soon focused on professional athletes from Martinsville and Henry County,” she said. “And now, they’ll be able to come home and see this.”
