Fitness Zone® Areas Launched in East L.A.

PASADENA, CA: Fitness Zone® installations are popping up in local parks, thanks to a partnership of The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, and Kaiser Permanente. The Fitness Zone Program was launched today at Belvedere Park, one of five San Gabriel Valley Fitness Zone locations. At the event, TPL and Supervisor Gloria Molina unveiled plans for five more Fitness Zone installations in the First District. Kaiser Permanente announced a $750,000 three-year grant to support TPL’s Parks for People mission.

The event included a training demonstration of the Fitness Zones equipment, featuring members of the East Los Angeles Service Center Fitness Club.

“Increasing recreational spaces for healthy living in highly-dense communities like East Los Angeles, the country’s 5th most densely-populated region in the country, is one of my highest priorities. Parks in my district are our backyards – where we congregate, play, and exercise,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina. “This new Fitness Zone is an important addition to the East Los Angeles community, and is made possible through a unique public-private partnership.”

Molina has championed walking paths in her district’s local parks, and has led the way for numerous open space and bike path projects along the Rio Hondo, San Gabriel and Los Angeles river corridors through community partnerships.

The Fitness Zone equipment resembles that found in health clubs. It’s free and easy to use for strength training, flexibility and cardio workouts for a variety of ages and fitness levels. Fitness Zone installations are placed in existing parks, creating new opportunities for park users to get active. Current locations include Belvedere Community Regional Park; Dalton Park in Azusa; Roosevelt Park on Graham in Los Angeles; and San Angelo Park and Sunshine County Park, both in La Puente. The locations were selected based on population density and access to recreational opportunities.

“TPL is working to support the wellbeing of Los Angeles County residents by creating destinations for healthful activity,” said Debra Geiler, Southern California Director of Trust for Public Land. “That could be a hiking trail in Marshall Canyon or an elliptical machine in Belvedere Park. Our goal is to increase access to outdoor recreation and encourage communities to get out and get active.”

“An estimated two of every three American adults, and more than one in six children and adolescents are considered overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Frank Meza, MD, Physician in Charge of Kaiser Permanente’s East Los Angeles Medical Center. “Children and families are more likely to consistently exercise when in groups or social environments. Providing easy to use equipment dramatically increases physical activity and improves the well-being of most park users.”

“Having Fitness Zone installations at Los Angeles County Parks will ensure that everyone in the community can come out to their local County park and get quality strength and cardio workouts,” said Russ Guiney, Director of Parks and Recreation for the County of Los Angeles. “I would like to commend the Trust for Public Land for recognizing the importance of making fitness equipment available and helping the Department carry out its Healthy Parks mission.”

“Kaiser Permanente is proud to continue a partnership that we started with Supervisor Molina, LA County Parks and Recreation and The Trust for Public Land more than a year ago,” said Angela Coron, director, community benefit for Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California region. “With the support of this grant, TPL will be able to address park inequities throughout Los Angeles County, including developing more Fitness Zone installations. This is just the beginning of what will be a model for public parks everywhere. It truly represents Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to improving the health of the communities we serve.”

Kaiser Permanente is investing $18.5 million over five years on community-based efforts to promote healthy eating and active living in California. The Healthy Eating, Active Living or HEAL program represents Kaiser Permanente’s focus on reducing obesity in the community.

Belvedere Community Regional Park, 4914 East Cesar Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Dalton Park, 18867 East Armstead Street, Azusa, CA 91702
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, 7600 Graham Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90001
San Angelo Park, 245 South San Angelo Avenue, La Puente, CA 91746
Sunshine County Park, 515 Deepmead Avenue, La Puente, CA 91744