There’s a nice story by public radio station KPCC in Los Angeles on “Fitness Zones” being built in the city’s parks. TPL has been working with the city to bring exercise equipment that is simple, durable and still attractive to use for exercising.
The article touches on how they could be of some help in addressing obesity:
“We’ve placed (the fitness zones) in places of high need where we have a big population of residents who are obese and who have diabetes and hypertension,” [Pascaline] Derrick said.
The Trust for Public Land’s consideration of South Los Angeles proves a great resource for the area, said Perry.
“We are battling disproportionate statistics on obesity,” Perry said. “But this is an opportunity for South L.A. to address these issues in an upbeat and positive way and as a family.”
And an affordable one in low-income areas. A gym membership can run from $30 per month on the very low end to normally $60 or more. Many people either cannot afford or are not willing to pay for one, so creating public facilities that address these needs can be key to rising residents’ level of physical activity.
In economic terms, assuming access to exercise facilities runs at about $4 per use, that’s $400 in daily benefits for every 100 people.
More on Fitness Zones, and a video from the story below:
Filed under: health, partnerships Tagged: | los angeles
PLEASE COME TO CITY PARK IN NEW ORLEANS. WE ARE SO OBESE AND UNHEALTHY HERE IN THIS REGION AND MOST OF US (MYSELF INCLUDED) SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD A GYM MEMBERSHIP. A PROGRAM SUCH AS THIS WOULD MAKE OUR DAY, POSSIBLY CHANGE OUR LIVES.
[...] aerobic and strength training equipment to 30 parks in disadvantaged neighborhoods through the Fitness Zones program with The Trust for Public Land. In Chicago’s Millennium Park, the McDonald’s Cycle [...]