Police chief pitches fitness court as bridge between law enforcement and community

The front lawn of Farmers Branch's Justice Center gets plenty of foot traffic but little actual use, a missed opportunity that Police Chief Kevin McCoy wants to change with barbells, balance beams and a vision for community policing.

During a city council study session on Tuesday, August 19, McCoy unveiled a plan to transform the underutilized grounds into a cutting-edge outdoor fitness facility, one designed as much for building community trust as building muscle.

"This gives the opportunity for the public to interact more closely with the police department at the Justice Center and makes that space more usable," McCoy said, describing a vision where officers lead public workouts and use fitness programming to forge positive relationships with residents.

The $205,000 project hinges on securing a $60,000 Blue Impact Grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, part of the insurer's 2025 Healthy Cities Campaign. The remaining estimated $145,000 would come from city coffers, pending council approval to pursue the funding.

What sets this proposal apart from typical park improvements is its strategic location and intended dual purpose. The Justice Center sits at the convergence of Districts 4 and 5, where McCoy said "there's not a lot of parks amenities in that area" despite heavy pedestrian traffic from the city's trail network.

More significantly, the facility would serve as what amounts to a new model for police-community engagement, moving interactions away from enforcement scenarios toward shared wellness goals.

The concept reflects a broader national conversation about police reform and community policing strategies. Rather than simply responding to calls or conducting traffic stops, departments increasingly seek opportunities for positive, voluntary contact with residents.

"We could lead officer workouts. We would use it for youth engagement," McCoy said, outlining programming that would incorporate the facility into existing initiatives like the citizens police academy and women's self-defense classes. "It's a community engagement opportunity."

The facility would feature what its manufacturer calls "the world's best outdoor gym," a standardized fitness court with fixed equipment designed for functional training. Users can complete seven different workout categories, from core strengthening to agility training, using bodyweight exercises and integrated equipment.

Council members appeared receptive to the concept, though they pressed for details on practical considerations. Council member Elizabeth Villafranca, who toured the proposed site, called it "the perfect location" while asking about shade preservation and equipment selection.

The location's existing infrastructure emerged as a key selling point. Unlike standalone park facilities, the Justice Center site already provides lighting, surveillance cameras, security presence and parking, amenities that eliminate additional development costs while ensuring user safety.

"It's lit already. It already has camera coverage in that area, so security and safety is already taken care of," McCoy said.

Parks and Recreation Director Robert Diaz assured council that maintenance responsibilities would integrate seamlessly with existing operations, comparing the equipment to current playground structures that already receive regular safety inspections.

The proposal scored a 76% rating on the grant program's evaluation criteria, earning high marks for community presence, trail connectivity and site visibility. Similar facilities have already been installed in Grand Prairie and Anna, providing models for implementation.

Yet the project's success will ultimately depend on execution rather than equipment. Community policing initiatives require sustained commitment and genuine relationship-building, qualities that can't be manufactured through infrastructure alone.

"It puts a fitness opportunity in an area," McCoy said, describing how the facility connects to Brookhaven's trail system where "runners, walkers, people who ride their bicycles with their kids" already congregate.

The proposal also includes community art opportunities, with potential plans to involve residents in decorating the facility's back wall, another avenue for collaborative engagement.

Council provided unanimous direction to proceed with the initiative, clearing the way for staff to develop firm cost estimates and formally apply for the grant. The timeline will depend on final approvals and site preparation requirements.

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