Sixteen commercial-grade pieces of exercise equipment have been purchased and shipped to Knox County for installation at Powell Station Park.
Dr. Don Wegener said by putting the equipment near the playground and splashpad, adults can “get some cardio” in fresh air yet keep an eye on their kids. This is the first phase of what Wegener hopes will be a three-phase program to install exercise equipment along the Powell greenway.
The equipment will be available to all during park hours and can be used by staff and students at Powell High School.
The purchase price with tax was $21,218,63, all funded through the Travis Wegener Enhance Powell account managed by the Powell Business & Professional Association. Funds were raised at the annual car show, set for Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Powell High School.
Don and Cindy Wegener’s son, Travis, was murdered while visiting friends in North Knoxville on August 15, 2014. A Powell High School graduate and owner of Champion Lawn and Landscaping, he was just 28. He was an active member and former officer in the Tennessee Valley Mustang Club.
The first car show was in 2015, and the first project funded was the disc golf course at Powell Station Park.
Knox County Parks & Rec will install the equipment and maintain it, Don Wegener said. Senior Director Joe Mack has identified the best spots and the equipment will be surrounded by the spongy material that is already at the playground.
The 16 pieces include:
- 3 single station country skiers
- 3 double-station gliders
1 “No Short Cuts” group which includes 7 pieces:
- Double-station chest press
- Double-station lat pulldown
- Double-station leg press
- Double-station sky walker
- Single-station country skier
- Double-station glider
- Single-station sit up bench
3 pieces of ADA accessible equipment:
- Quad station warm-up
- Accessible double-station lat pull
- Accessible double-station chest press
OK, your reward for reading this far is a sneak peek at one piece of equipment. Note the accessible seat on the left side.
Mike and Robin Maddux of FunMakers, 8835 Kingston Pike, gave the community a big break, valued at $14,000, Wegener said. “Mike is a friend who wanted to help.” Info: 865-539-1975 or funmakersplay.com/.
Phase 2 equipment will be installed at the greenway’s trailhead on the campus of Powell High. Wegener has met with principal Dr. Chad Smith to identify possible locations.
He does not expect Knox County to install the phase 1 equipment before August 12, but he is requesting that Parks & Rec bring one piece to enable the car show participants to see more tangible results of their efforts.
We would rather have Travis with us, but his name will live for a long time in the community he loved. Thank you to everyone who supports the Travis Wegener Memorial Car Show.