New facilities have recently been added to Swannanoa’s beautiful Owen Park, and more improvements are on their way. The park now boasts an outdoor fitness course, and a Gaga ball pit. Future plans call for upgrades to the playing fields, expansion of the playground, and the addition of outdoor musical instruments for the kids.
The 29-acre county park, located at 875 Warren Wilson Road, is already home to an impressive array of outdoor facilities and activities, including two large ponds with a handicap-accessible fishing pier, access to the fish hatchery-supported Swannanoa River, three baseball fields, two basketball courts, picnic shelters and grills, hiking trails, and a 1-mile figure eight walking loop that is also an official North Carolina Birding Trail.
The newly-installed outdoor fitness course at Owen Park includes a stationary bike, chest/lat combo, twist and step, double cross country skier, and flexibility stepper. The fitness zone was partially funded by a Get Out and Get Fit grant from ExoFit and Barrs Recreation.
The new Gaga ball “pit” is an enclosed circular play area available on a first-come, first-served basis. Just bring your own ball (any volleyball, kickball, foam ball, or rubber ball will do) for several rounds of excitement. Gaga ball combines dodging, striking, running, and jumping with the objective of being the last person in the pit. Players hit the ball at each other and are eliminated if the ball strikes them below the knees. Players keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball. The game goes quickly and everyone gets a serious workout! To learn more about Gaga ball, click here.
Newly-installed fitness stations at Owen Park