Opportunities coming up to learn about new fitness equipment at Tonsler Park, new park in Charlottesville’s Meadows neighborhood

Charlottesville City Council adopted a new master plan in April 2025 to guide development of city parks and recreation offerings.

“The plan reflects the community’s vision while ensuring financial sustainability and enhancing park assets, amenities, and user experiences,” reads the purpose statement in the plan. “Grounded in recognized park planning principles and standards, it provides a clear roadmap for future investments in parks, recreational facilities, and programs.”

There are opportunities in February for the public to learn more about two projects that are in the works.

On February 11 at 6 p.m. there will be a meeting on where to put a new fitness court at Benjamin Tonsler Park on Cherry Avenue. During the master plan process, representatives of the Fifeville neighborhood indicated a need for outdoor fitness areas. Now the city has received a grant from the company Aetna to install a digitally-connected fabricated exercise area that’s part of a national campaign.

“The Fitness Court® is a free, 7-movement bodyweight circuit training system designed for adults of all ages, abilities and fitness levels,” reads the website of the National Fitness Campaign. “It is digitally connected by the free Fitness Court® App, which provides a coach-in-your-pocket style platform supporting a comprehensive wellness experience.”

So far there are ten such Fitness Courts in Virginia. Aetna’s state partner is the Virginia Municipal League.

On February 12, the Parks and Recreation Department will hold the third and final community input session for a new park in the Meadows neighborhood. This will be a pocket park on a nearly quarter-mile property on Cedar Hill Drive the city purchased in August 2024 for $100,000.

“Following this final round of public input, the department will request funding from City Council to implement the plan,” reads a recent information release. “If approved, the goal is to complete the project and open the park for public use by Spring 2027.”

There are currently no parks facilities in the Meadows neighborhood in the northwest portion of Charlottesville.

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