News
Pasadena Families Spring into Action at Memorial Park
PASADENA, Calif.-(Business Wire)-March 22, 2008 - Spring was in the air today at Pasadena's Memorial Park (85 East Holly Street), as families celebrated the grand opening of a new children's playground area and exercise course funded by a grant from Kaiser Permanente to serve the health and recreational needs of Pasadena residents. A City of Pasadena Public Works Department crew installed and will maintain the equipment.
Festivities, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., included food, an egg hunt led by a giant bunny, and prizes, with the finder of the golden egg receiving a new bicycle donated by Kaiser Permanente, one of Pasadena's largest employers.
The course and equipment fit into Kaiser Permanente's Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) approach to addressing obesity and other chronic health conditions.
"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," noted Kaiser Permanente President, Southern California region, Dr. Benjamin Chu.
"Children and families are more likely to consistently exercise when in groups or social environments. Providing an inviting playground and attractive exercise course can dramatically increase physical activity and improve the well-being of park users. These additions to Memorial Park reflect Kaiser Permanente's commitment to improving the health of the communities we serve."
The new children's play area features a sandbox with the very young in mind, and an area for the older children with playground equipment designed to make exercising fun and physically challenging. Adults also have a new par exercise course that weaves through the park.
"The City of Pasadena has also made a major commitment to community wellness with a number of initiatives related to healthy lifestyles," said Kathy Woods, Parks Administrator. "This is why we are so excited to have partnered with Kaiser Permanente to bring this new playground and fitness course to Memorial Park. The new features now provide stimulating fitness activities for individuals and families."
Memorial Park, 85 East Holly Street, is a community park of 5.3 acres of gentle slopes. The park is home to war memorials, the Levitt Pavilion for live performances, and Pasadena Senior Center. For more information call (626) 744-4723.
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.
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.3 million members in Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 49,919 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,000 physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser Permanente, go to www.kaiserpermanente.org. For more information about Fitness Zones, go to: www.tpl.org/fitnesszones.
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