Hello, I am Alderwoman for Ward 1, Michele Longworth. I am also the current Parks and Recreation Committee chairwoman.

I found out on New Year's Eve 2025 that the City of Metropolis is poised to receive a $50,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. The grant money was secured through Southern Seven Health Department and the National Fitness Council, for the construction of an outdoor fitness court in Metropolis.

The plan would be to located in Lincoln Park, which is right on one of the city's main thoroughfares. The park is in need of renovating and re-vamping.

However, even with the $50,000 grant, by the time the fitness court is completed, the total cost would be roughly $180,000! That is $180,000 that the city did not have budgeted.

The first week of Jan. 2026, I sent out a letter to several local businesses and organizations, expressing the need for donations or business or corporate sponsorship of the fitness court. There was some response, with businesses and individuals wanting to donate, but we need a whole lot of donations to reach that $180,000 mark.

That is why I am launching information about this project here, in hopes that someone may read the details and feel led to give! If you have read the information and want to help the Super City of Metropolis, IL - the Home of Superman - reach this financial goal and help us get this outdoor fitness court built, I ask you to please call Mayor Gregg Jeffords' office 618-524-4016.

Or, you can write a check and mail it to: Metropolis City Hall, 106 W. 5th St., Metropolis IL 62960.

You can email me if you have further questions. I appreciate your time in reading over this fundraising campaign.

Super City Metropolis seeks funds for Outdoor Fitness Court!

Help Metropolis' Fitness Court become reality

Team Members