Category Archives: Exercise

Exercise, Fort Scott, Sports

Buck Run Open As of Today

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Even though Buck Run Community Center is open again today with some limitations because of Covid 19 restrictions, there are other walking, running, playing, and fishing opportunities in Fort Scott.

Here is the framework of what has taken place the last few months at Buck Run Community Center, according to Tom Robertson, manager.

“May 18th – BRCC Fitness and Racquetball opened by appointment only, (Limited to 10 in each room)
May 22nd – Opened BRCC lobby to take FSRC Summer Programs registrations. (no appointments needed for fitness and/or racquetball but still limited to 10)
June 22nd – Completely opened BRCC and begin Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
June 24th – Closed BRCC & cancelled FSRC programs and leagues for 1 week
July 1st – Reopened BRCC but limited to 45 and under in building with social distancing. Canceled FSRC summer camps and programs with the exception of youth and adult baseball/softball leagues that has been postponed until July 9th. Orders will be evaluated around July 6th or 7th.”

 

“The fitness room and two gymnasiums are open for usage,” said Tom Robertson,  manager.  “We are not allowing rentals until the restrictions are lifted to avoid going over the 45+(people allowed in the building) restrictions.

“We opened today with a restriction of 45 (people) and under including staff at any given time while practicing social distancing,” Robertson said.

“Youth baseball/softball is on hold right now with the 45 and under restriction. We will try to resume games if and when the restrictions are lifted.”

“The decision to postpone games was made by the Fort Scott Recreation Commission Board based on the orders by our Bourbon County Health Department,” he said.

The meeting was held on Monday of this week.

“Buck Run Community Center will practice social distancing at all times,” Robertson said.  “Once the governor presents guidelines on mask-wearing, signs and direction will be given to BRCC users as they enter the building.”

Buck Run Community Center is located at 735 State.

For questions or concerns, email Tom Robertson @ [email protected] or by calling 620-223-0386/ 620-224-7707.

 

There are other options for exercise in the city.

The following is edited information from the Buck Run Community Center website:

http://buckruncommunitycenter.org/

 

 

 

 Golf Course Information/Events

Rate Type Mon – Thurs Fri – Sun Annually
9 Holes Golf $11 $13
18 Holes Golf $13 $15
9 Holes + Cart $14 $14
18 Holes + Cart $24 $24
9 Hole Trail Fees $5 $5
18 Hole Trail Fees $10 $10
Single Membership $440
Youth Membership $100
Family Membership (Family of 4) $25. for each additional. $595
Trail Fees $150
Cart Shed Rental – Includes trail Fee

Annual Cart Pass – Unlimited use of Woodland Hills Carts

 $350

$425
To host a tournament call 620-223-5060

 

 

Gunn Park

Located at Park Avenue 2

Lakes, Fishing, Shelter Houses, Tent & RV Camping, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Disc Golf and Playground Area. For Rental Information Contact City Hall at 620-223– 0550.

 

Lake Fort Scott

Located at Rt. 5 South of Fort Scott

Boating, Fishing, Swimming, Shelter Houses, Picnic Tables. For Information contact City Hall at 620-223-0550.

 

Bridal Veil Park

Located at West 2nd Street

Shelter House, Picnic Tables, Soccer Field, and Playground Area.

 

 

Lincoln School Walking Trail

Located at West 18th Street

Walking, Running, Fishing, Picnic Tables.

 

 

 

Betty Ruth Willard Fields/Ty Cullor Field

Located at 2108 Horton

Bathrooms, Picnic Tables and Playground Area.

 

 

 

Ellis Park

Located at 12th & Williams

Sand Volleyball, Basketball Court, Walking Trail, Shelter House, Picnic Tables and Bathrooms.

 

3rd Street Park

Located at 3rd & Hill

Shelter House, Bathrooms, Picnic Tables, Outdoor Basketball Court and Playground Area.

 

Nelson Park

Located at the corner of Grant & Elm Street
Playground Area and Walking Trail.

 

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James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate Park

Located at 4th & Scott Street Skate Park

 

The park is a public use, and is well suited for use by skateboarders, roller blades, scooters and more. Helmets are not required but suggested and benches and trashcans are provided for anyone who would like to enjoy watching the skaters perform.

 

 

COVID-19, Exercise, Fort Scott, Government

Swimming Pool Reopens July 1 With Modifications Due to COVID 19

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The Aquatic Center will resume normal business hours beginning July 1st, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. There will be more restraints and guidelines to follow:

Only 30 people will be allowed in the pool at any given time.

At the top of each hour 30 new patrons will be allowed in the pool and the previous 30 will be asked to leave.

Cash only will be taken due to an issue with the credit card system.

They will take the first 30 people at the beginning of each hour. If patrons leave before their hour time has expired, we will NOT allow the next person in. This is so we can stay on the hourly change of patrons as a whole and allow us to clean all areas at the conclusion of each session.

The fees will remain the same as posted.

These guidelines will be reevaluated on July 8th, 2020 when the Public Health Officer’s order ends.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.

Exercise, Fort Scott, Government, Sports

Buck Run Opens July 1, Limited to 45 People

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Buck Run Community Center will be open to the public beginning on July 1st, 2020. The hours for Buck Run will be 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The facility will be limited to a gathering of 45 individuals or less including Buck Run staff. Individuals are reminded to social distance when using this facility.

This will be reevaluated on July 8th, 2020 when the Public Health Officer’s order ends.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.

COVID-19, Exercise, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care

FS Pool Closes Due to Increase in COVID 19 Cases

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The Fort Scott Aquatic Center will be closed for the next seven (7) days beginning today due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Buck Run Community Center will also be closed beginning today for the next seven (7) days. These closures will be reevaluated after the seven days.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.

COVID-19, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Fort Scott’s Swimming Pool Opens June 22, With Modifications

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The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is located at 723 S. Scott.

The hot days of June have many seeking ways to cool off.

The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is one option for cooling off.

However, because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, it has remained closed until staff worked on a plan to be able to open safely.

The center will open on June 22, Chasity Ware, the manager, said.

 

Chasity Ware. Submitted photo.
“With many days of the uncertainty of the COVID 19, a lot of research went into making a final decision to plan to open the facility, ” she said.  “Once I had the facts of what we were capable of doing with restrictions placed upon us and then shared with the  (Fort Scott) City Commissioners, their faith in me and my team of employees were given the go-ahead to open. Due to the many behind the scene hours to prepare the opening of the pool along with lifeguard training that had to be completed, we needed a little time.  We also chose to wait until the phase-out plan per Gov. Kelly to help with even fewer restrictions.”
Precautions are in place
“The modifications will include but not limited to:
  • some masks being worn,
  • extra cleaning being provided,
  • no lounge chairs issued this season (we ask patrons to bring in their own chairs),
  • no 3 pm or 5 pm break will be provided,
  • and only pre-packaged foods will be served out of the concession stands.
We will initially limit our patrons to 250 each day for the first few weeks to help with gatherings as well.”
“Also NO pool passes will be sold,” she said. ” We can’t guarantee our season and know so much has already been missed we just didn’t feel the passes were going to be effective. If we were to close, we can’t imagine the nightmare for the refund/credit.”
“NO ONE will be allowed to come in and sit to watch anyone swim without paying,” Ware said.  “We have to count them as part of the capacity number.
And one last thing, NO FLOATATION DEVICES of any sort.  No padded suits, no arm wings, no life jackets.”
“There will be NO SWIM LESSONS, she said.
“We want to remind everyone to please pay attention to their symptoms and their children’s,” Ware said.  “Please don’t attend the pool if you are sick, running a fever or overall not feeling well.  Help keep others safe.”
Daily rates
Daily admission rates will apply:  3-14  years old-are $2, 15-62 years old- $3 and 63  years old and older- $2.
The center currently has 29 employees between lifeguards, office/concession personnel and managers.
“This number could change as the future moves forwards,” Ware said.
Pool hours, close date
Pool hours are 1 pm-7 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 pm-6 pm on Sundays.
The date to close will be no later than August 9 due to college lifeguards returning to college the first weekend of August and school for Fort Scott USD #234 is anticipated to start Aug. 12, she said.
“This could change as well as we move forward.,” Ware said. “We pray we have no outbreaks or other issues but are prepared to make decisions as needed. “
NO private pool parties
“We are sorry to say at this time there will not be private pool parties available this pool season,” Ware said. “We need the extra time to clean the facility. “
The center’s phone number is 620-223-8142.

Ware is the Fort Scott Aquatic Center Manager, in her 9th season. She was employed by Mound City Pool seven years prior to joining Fort Scott.

She is a Certified Lifeguard Instructor.

“I certify lifeguards for the Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Nevada, Iola, Pleasanton, and LaCygne pools. I have been doing that for six seasons now,” she said.

Bourbon County, Exercise, Sports

FS Hurricanes Swim Team Accepting New Members

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Fort Scott Hurricanes Swim Team is currently accepting new members ages 5-18.
Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted with any stroke.
Practices will be June 22-July 31st.  T
The registration fee is $55 per swimmer.
Scholarships are available to families in need.  Applications for the scholarship can be picked up and turned in to Buck Run Community Center.
Registration for families in Bourbon County currently open.
Registration for families outside of Bourbon County will open on June 14th.
 Like  on Facebook at Fort Scott Hurricanes Swim Team for the latest information and to reach a board member with any questions.
Bourbon County, Exercise, Fort Scott

Downtown Walking Trail In The Works

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Rita Schroeder and J.T. Heckman make a presentation to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team of Feb. 6 of the proposed downtown walking trail. Submitted photo.
A local leadership class has taken on a project of creating a walking trail downtown with funding from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
Bourbon County Lead Class 2020 heard of the funding opportunity from Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison.
 
“Lindsay brought the opportunity up to the class of extra funds from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team that we could use for our class project and we came up with a healthy walk downtown with educational fun facts about downtown Fort Scott,” Rita Schoeder, LEAD Class member said. ” What it was and what it is now!”
Rita Schroeder and J.T. Heckman present to the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team on Feb. 6. Submitted photo.
“Our presentation proposed to Healthy Bourbon County Board for approval was held at the Empress Event Center, Thursday, February 6th,” Schoeder said.  “I and one other class member, J.T. (Heckman), presented to the board for approval of the design of the signs.”
Also included in the presentation was an example of a fun facts sign with QR code for younger audiences to use cell phones while approaching the sign, then scanning on the phone. It will then show images, reading material and recorded audio of the fun fact, Schroeder said.
“Some signs will show how many feet you have walked as well.,” she said. “At the Feb. 6 meeting, the budget and project were approved.”
 
The definitive location of the downtown trail is not final but the starting place will be at the Fort Scott Chamber, 231 E.Wall Street, Schroeder said.
There the walkers will receive a brochure of the walking trail, and the statistics of how many feet the walking trail is from start to finish.
The brochure will show the fun fact markers and highlights of the downtown walking trail.
What is the benefit of having a walking trail downtown?
According to Schroeder:
  • It’s a walk of downtown historic Fort Scott for people who work and live downtown, residents, and visitors of all ages.
  • The walk promotes retailers, restaurants, and points of interest.
  • Walkers will learn fun facts about Fort Scott’s history.
  • The hope is to challenge the next generation of opportunities to continue  Fort Scott’s growth. 
  • Small town hospitality will welcome visitors and share what Fort Scott represents and has to offer.

By mid-March/April, the project will be presented to the Fort Scott Design and Review Board and if approved will then go to the Fort Scott City Commission for final approval.

 The completion date for the project is in June, Schroeder said.
“Before Good Ol’ Days, fingers crossed,” Schroeder said.
Members of the LEAD Bourbon County 2020 group have been divided into subgroups with the following tasks:
Naming the trail and gathering historical facts
based on the number of mile marker signs along the trail:
Matthew Chaplin, Devin Tally, Tony Tirri, JT Heckman.
Marketing and design of brochures, flyers, and printed maps to be picked up at the Chamber and/or trailhead, designing a welcome sign and mile marker signs,  and getting quotes on pricing and installation:
Rita Schroeder, Ashley Keylon, Katie Allison.
Mapping the route, identifying sign placement and number of mile marker signs needed:
Traci Reed, Amy Budy, Kyla Probasco
————————————————————

 

Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott, Government

Jon Kindlesparger Retires As Golf Course Superintendent

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Jon Kindlesparger stands in front of the cake that his employer, The City of Fort Scott provided for his retirement reception.

Jon Kindlesparger, 66, retired as the Woodland Hills Golf Course Superintendent as of Dec. 31, 2019.

In his 8.5 years at the golf course, Kindlesparger has seen an improvement in the course that is owned by the City of Fort Scott.

Jon Kindlesparger answers the clubhouse phone.

“The city has put some money into it,” he said. “It takes a ton of money…It was a three to four-year challenge…from not very good to playable.”

The course has been improved from “pretty downtrodden”, Kindlesparger said. “To a decent golf course now.”

“All the turf is better and in playable condition,” he said. “There is a new clubhouse and new cart shed and also playing, membership and revenue has increased.”

Golf carts that can be rented are lined up near the entrance to the Woodland Hills Golf Clubhouse.

“Jon made a ton of difference in his time,” Rex Hall, a member of the golf course and attendee at Kindlesparger’s retirement reception Dec. 30, said.  “He made it actually look like a golf course.”

Following his retirement, Kindlesparger said he will be seeing ” a lot of golf courses and a lot of lakes to fish.”

Jon Kindlesparger looks at the gift card the City of Fort Scott gave him at his retirement reception on Dec. 30 at the clubhouse.

The Fort Scott Human Resources Director Deb Needleman presented a gift card to Kindlesparger during the reception.

Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, Fort Scott.

 

Business, Exercise, Fort Scott

Smallville Crossfit Reopens Today, Dec. 2

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Aaron Watts works on the flooring in one of the large classrooms at Smallville Crossfit  on Nov. 29

 

After a hiatus finishing up the new facility at 1905 Judson, Smallville Crossfit opens today for classes.

“Our first classes will be held here Monday,” owner Aaron Watts said on Nov. 29. His wife, Lindsey is his partner in the fitness business.

The reconfigured facility, once Fort Scott Lumber, is just off West 19th Street in the southern part of the city. They were formerly in a downtown location but outgrew the space.

Smallville Crossfit has 130 members, Aaron said.

Some of the Smallville Crossfit members, from the business Facebook page.

They now have about 60 percent more space to accommodate those members, Aaron said.

“We now have three large heated rooms for classes, as opposed to two large and an auxiliary room,” he said.

Smallville Crossfit provides regular Crossfit classes, a “sweat class” and a pre-teen class for kids eight to 12 years old, Aaron said.

The Watts are going to add some new classes, a dance fitness class and strength and conditioning classes, in the future.

“We are going to get through a couple of months to determine new equipment that might be needed,” Aaron said.

New showers and bathrooms have been added to the building and Aaron was putting the mat floor down on Friday, while Lindsey was cleaning the walls in one of the new classrooms, with a little help from family and friends.

Lindsay Watts cleans the wall of one of the new classrooms at Smallville Crossfit on Nov. 29.

 

Smallville Crossfit classes are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8 a.m. 11:15 a.m., the 4 p.m. pre-teen class to the last class at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes are at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Saturday there is an open gym which starts at 9 a.m.

For more information contact Lindsey at 620-619-9602 or Aaron at 620-719-7554.

A grand opening at the new facility will be after the first of the year.

Aaron Watts stands in front of the newly remodeled Smallville Crossfit, 1905 Judson.

 

Exercise, Fort Scott

Pies and Poinsettias Fundraiser for Softball Team

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The Momentum Softball team is having its first fundraiser, Pies and Poinsettias.

Youth Development

Softball Team

PIE and POINSETTIA

FUNDRAISER

$15 a piece (pie or poinsettia)

or

2 for $25 (any combination)

Homemade Pie Choices: Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple, or

Caramel Apple Pecan

To order: [email protected]

Facebook: @mitrainingfs

Or

Team Momentum Softball Player/Parents

Pies Delivered: Wednesday, November 27th

Poinsettias Delivered: Around December 6th, depending on weather

**Poinsettias are sent directly to us from Parks Brothers Farm, Inc.

The pies are homemade using fresh pumpkins purchased from the Care to Share fundraiser, farm fresh eggs from Foster 4 Farm in Hiattville (operated by four 4H’ers) and fresh apples.

Orders will be taken now until November 20th.

The pie selections are Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple, and Caramel Apple Pecan.

Prices are $15 each or 2 for $25 mix and match.

For example, 1 pie and 1 poinsettia for $25.

Pies will be delivered Wednesday, November 27th and poinsettias the first week in December.

Money raised will go towards team equipment, fees, and skills clinicians.

 

 

Submitted by Emelia S. Whiteaker, MS, PES of

Momentum Indoor Training

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Exercise, Fort Scott

Added Safety and Accessibility Coming to Riverfront Park

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The wayfinder map of Riverfront Park, North National Avenue.

Lights for the Bell Town Walking Trail at Riverfront Park on Fort Scott’s north entrance will soon be installed.

“They are LED downlights to light the trail at dusk for more safety,” Jerry Witt, chairman of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority, said.

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is providing funds for the lighting.

The City of Fort Scott Streets Department is pouring concrete for the pedestals for the 27 pole lights which will stand about 12 feet high, similar to the poles in the historic downtown district. The streets crew has also done the trenching for the electrical pipe for the poles.

Fort Scott Maintenance II Employee Kyle Knight, left, and Fort Scott Streets Supervisor Jerry Morgan tell about the pedestals that were poured today for the new LED lighting in Riverfront Park.

“Max Fanning is doing the electrical work labor,” Witt said. “We are paying for that.”

Also slated for a 2019 completion date is paving and striping of the parking area, west of the park pavilion at the entrance. Also, a handicapped accessible wheelchair ramp will be built to the pavilion.

The Riverfront Park Pavillion had its ribbon-cutting in May 2018.

Last week, the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation granted the Riverfront Authority a $2,317 award to purchase metal picnic tables and benches for the pavilion, Witt said.

New Trails

Witt said the Riverfront Authority has applied for a Kansas Department of Transportation Grant to create additional trails on the south side of the Marmaton River, along the River Front Road.

“When we built the road in 2015, the grant was for road and trails,” Witt said. “But the cost of the road construction was higher than expected, so the trails were put on hold.”

Agricultural Engineering, Uniontown, is working with the Riverfront Authority in designing the 2, 953 feet of trails, which will be eight-foot-wide and have an asphalt surface, Witt said.

Overlook Moving

Flooding this past spring moved the recently built wooden overlook off its’ foundation and the Riverfront Authority is planning to move the structure to higher ground, Witt said.

Members

Members of the Riverfront Authority, from left Allen Warren, Arnold Schofield, Danny Magee, Jerry Witt, Dean Mann and Betty Boyko. File photo. Not pictured: Jeff Sweetser, Bob Love, and Penny Barnes.

Members of the Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority are Witt,  Allen Warren, Jeff Sweetser, Bob Love, Betty Boyko, Danny Magee, Arnold Schofield, Penny Barnes and Dean Mann.

The organization was created in 2007.