Featuring seven exercises you can complete in seven minutes, a new Fitness Court has opened in East Donegal Township. The court, created by National Fitness Campaign, is one of just 500 such spaces in the country and the only one in Lancaster County.

"For years, we've been looking at trying to develop something like this," said Scott Kingsboro, assistant township manager, adding that he originally considered installing a traditional fitness trail with various exercise stations along a path. When he discovered National Fitness Campaign and its all-in-one court, he was intrigued. He soon learned the company, which has a mission to change health outcomes in America, provided grant funding to help support the cost of the court.

The Fitness Court is located at Lloyd H. Fuhrman Memorial Park, 190 Rock Point Road, Marietta. It is open to anyone age 14 and up, and it features equipment for bodyweight exercises including squats, push-ups, pull-ups and lunges.

Users scan a QR code, displayed on a wall of the court, to learn how to use the equipment.

"I truly think this piece of equipment is for anyone from age 14 to 99, because they can customize it or modify it to their comfort level," Kingsboro said. A push-up station, for example, features tips for beginners ("Apprentice") to experts ("Savage").

Residents are invited to attend an opening-day launch event on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 3 p.m. to try the Fitness Court and learn about upcoming community wellness events and programming.

East Donegal Township is working with GEARS in Elizabethtown, which will provide "ambassadors" to promote the court and demonstrate how to use the equipment.

Mike Brubaker, a township supervisor, said he's excited to see the court put to use. He recommends that people stop by the site and scan the QR code and then go home to review the exercises before tackling the equipment. "That's just what I would do, but people can come here, scan the code and start their workout if they'd rather do that," he explained. To get started, visit http://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com.

He thinks the Fitness Court will be a nice addition to a park that already includes tennis and pickleball courts as well as walking and running paths.

"We think it's important to provide healthy options of things for people to do," Brubaker said. "Not everyone can afford a monthly subscription to a health club. This is free and outdoors. It just provides another thing for people in our community to do that's healthy."

While the grant covered some of the cost of the Fitness Court, the township is looking for businesses, organizations or individuals who would like to become sponsors of the court. For more information, contact East Donegal Township at 717-426-3167.

After the launch event on Aug. 6, Susquehanna Regional Police Department will host National Night Out activities from 6 to 9 p.m. at the park. The free event will include music, games and food, along with opportunities to meet and interact with local police officers, firefighters and other first responders.