Mercy, Mercy Fitness donate $112,000 to Fort Smith trail system

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by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) June 30, 2016 5:34 pm 352 views 

Making the first contribution towards its multi-year commitment, Mercy Health and Mercy Fitness Center presented a check for $112,000 to Friends of Recreational Trails (FORT), as part of the group’s efforts to bring a trails system to the community.

In addition, organizers of the 2016 Fort Smith Marathon, which was held in February, made a contribution of $50,000 from the event’s proceeds to the trails endeavor.

“We’re pleased to make this first contribution toward the trails effort in Fort Smith,” Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Fort Smith, said in a statement. “A healthy community is our focus and we’re excited to make this donation and to have been the presenting sponsor of the 2016 Marathon.”

The Mercy pledge includes dedicating all of the revenue from new fitness club memberships collected each January from 2016-2018. After reviewing the data from January 2016, new members equated to the $112,000 total.

To date, donations have exceeded $1.1 million to FORT. Local and regional businesses have contributed $870,000 of that total. Non-corporate funds raised by Park Partners have included a State of Arkansas GIF grant of $40,884, 2015 Fort Smith Marathon proceeds of $40,000, and a grant from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas of $150,000.

Friends of Recreational Trails Committee Members accept a contribution from Mercy Fitness Center for the Fort Smith trail system. Pictured (left to right) are Bill Hanna (FORT Committee), Doug Reinert, Fort Smith director of Parks & Recreation, Drew Linder (FORT Committee), and Paula Lind, with Mercy Fitness Center.
Friends of Recreational Trails Committee Members accept a contribution from Mercy Fitness Center for the Fort Smith trail system. Pictured (left to right) are Bill Hanna (FORT Committee), Doug Reinert, Fort Smith director of Parks & Recreation, Drew Linder (FORT Committee), and Paula Lind, with Mercy Fitness Center.

Working with the city’s Parks Commission, Trails & Greenways Committee, Park Partners, and the City of Fort Smith, the FORT Committee is hoping to guide the trails construction, continue to garner support from residents and the corporate community and help educate about the trails and greenways effort.