COEUR d’ALENE — Faith and fitness are not usually words that people would associate together.

On Friday, Coeur d’Alene’s Faith Walk Community Fitness Park officially opened at 4971 N. Atlas Road, cementing a place in the community where those interested in both running and repenting can gather. 

The celebration had live music, free food, a facepainting station and more. 

The formal dedication ceremony included fellowship, prayer, recognition of volunteers and those who donated and the story of how the park came to be.

A surprise program was held where audience members could sword fight someone in knight's armor with foam weapons. 

Maggie McComb, who lives near the park, watched as it slowly developed when she drove past it every day. She is excited for the park to finally be open. 

“It’s been really nice to see somewhere where the community can come and exercise and have a safe place to go,” she said. 

The park, located just north of Central Bark Dog Park, has 15 informational gazebos that each highlight a lesson in faith, while also doubling as a shield from the elements for the exercise equipment inside them. 

There is a wedding ceremony area, a playground, a large pavilion available to rent for events and sports fields. The featured building was named the Champions Cove and will serve as an indoor obstacle course, as well as a place for fellowship, Bible study and community meetings.  

Sarah Boquette thought the park was more than just a place for fellowship and exercise. 

“Our family loves God and we think this is a huge testament to what God is doing in our community,” she said. 

Event organizers estimated around 1,500 community members attended. Lake City High School served as an overflow parking lot and the Coeur d’Alene School District provided buses to take people to and from their cars parked at the school. 

Faith Walk launched an app called the Faith & Fitness Quest App, designed to encourage both spiritual growth and physical activity through monthly challenges and competitions, while also serving as the primary way to reserve sections of the park for activities.

App users will be able to compete in faith-based challenges, fitness contests and character-building activities all while competing for prizes and digital medals and rankings.

The park is designed to accommodate soccer games, weddings, birthday parties and more. 

Colton Jensen’s kids were excited for the park to finally open. 

“We have been passing by it for months and my kids wanted to come. We love the faith aspect of it,” he said.

Information: faithwalkcda.org

    Dianna McCray quizzes her children Holly and April on bible lessons while they play on the workout equipment.
  

    Carson Campana, Pastor Anthony Draxx and Kimberly Draxx read the faith-based information inside one of the 15 gazebos.