On Friday, November 8, officials gathered in Portage to cut the ceremonial ribbon for Miami Park, a new addition named in honor of the Miami Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. Located at the corner of Lute Road and Airport Road, the park includes a fitness court with space set aside for future development. While Mayor Austin Bonta was unable to attend, Portage’s First Lady Meg Bonta, represented the city and celebrated this exciting new space for the community.
"This is a unique opportunity because the new fitness center is a great addition to our Portage parks," said Meg Bonta. "As a teacher, I’m thrilled to see how it will impact our families and kids, helping us continue to build a healthy community."
The idea for the park began in April of this year and was quickly brought to life. The total cost was $165,000 and was funded through the Park Impact Fee, including a $30,000 National Grant Funding Award. Kelly Smith, the Park and Recreation Director for the City of Portage, was pleased to see the project come to fruition.
“We’re excited for this ribbon cutting at Miami Park,” said Smith. “I believe it’s the first facility of its kind in this area, which is fantastic to see. The project moved very quickly and efficiently from start to finish.”
On the north side of the park barrier, a QR code is available to scan for different exercise routines, with instructions also posted on the wall. Councilman Ferdinand Alvarez gave the center a try himself.
"I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for the public to have free access to exercise,” said Alvarez. “It’s in a great neighborhood with a lot of new development, so it’ll be accessible to many residents— it’s a welcome addition to our park infrastructure. I even tried the fitness test challenge, though I only lasted about 15 seconds on the pull-ups. It looks like I’ll be coming back more often, that’s for sure!"
Smith is excited to see how the community will utilize the park and how it can positively impact the health of people of all ages. One of the key features of the park is that it provides a full-body workout, with seven zones covering core, squats, push, lunge, pull, agility, and bend. She looks forward to seeing fitness programs take advantage of this space in the future.
“There are so many types of exercises you can do here—easy, medium, and challenging,” said Smith. “You can see on the side where it lists activities like lunges, core exercises, and more, so you can even customize your workout. Over in the open space, we’re considering aerobics, Zumba, or yoga—programs that will bring the community together. It’s exciting to think about people coming out, enjoying classes, and having easy access if they live nearby.”
The area's fitness court floor is cushioned for comfort. The south side of the barrier features an open space, ideal for hosting interactive classes.
“I think it is exciting that we now have an option for all age groups with this facility,” said Meg Bonta. “The first time I saw something like this, I thought, ‘What a wonderful opportunity to build strength.’ You’re getting cardio activity here and incorporating strength training—it’s a great combination.”
Smith said it was a great day and expressed her gratitude to the Portage Township School Corporation, the Portage Township School Board members, Daniel Tate, and his staff from the Portage Township Schools Transportation Department. Their efforts were instrumental in moving and storing items to make today’s event possible.
“It’s great to see so many community members show up for this event,” said Alvarez. “I hope to see them out here often, enjoying the space.”
More improvement efforts are coming soon to the park, including landscaping, trees, and shade sails for added comfort and protection. For updates on the park, please visit its Facebook page or its website.
