atmosphere at the Fitness Zone, Perryman says. People are just friendly here. “The new parks are creating spaces
for neighbors to meet and families to spend time together, for people to exercise and for everyone to play,” says The Trust for Public Land’s Tori Kjer. Kjer manages park projects in Los Angeles, home to 41 of TPL’s
provide the right environment. Staffer Brenda McClymonds helped
lay the groundwork for The Trust for Public Land’s first Fitness Zones in South Florida. “We work with our partners to install the equipment in areas where it’s likely to help the most residents,” she says. “The Miami- Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department used the rates of
cessibility standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. “Fitness is key for people with mobility impairments, but it’s diffi- cult to find accessible fitness outlets,” says French. “Your typical gym isn’t accessible. A Fitness Zone with ac- cessibility is extremely valuable to the mobility-impaired population.” French agrees that Fitness Zones
2012 PARA L Y MPIAN
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“It’s free, fun, and outdoors. Can you ask for anything else?”
Fitness Zone installations. “The equipment is very user-friendly and intuitive. That’s one of the reasons it’s so popular.”
IT’S ABOUT ACCESS The Trust for Public Land has in- stalled 52 Fitness Zones across the country since 2009, with 22 more installations planned for cities from North Carolina to Northern Califor- nia. Because they’re free and located in public parks, Fitness Zones are inviting to users who might not join a private gym—either because they’re too expensive, or because they don’t 58 · LAND&PEOPLE · SPRING/SUMMER 2013
cardiovascular mortality—the only health records that are public—along with income information to put parks in the areas with the highest health and economic need.” Low-income populations aren’t the only group for whom a Fitness Zone can provide a game-changing alterna- tive to the gym. Paralympian Jen French is a quad- riplegic who won the silver medal in sailing at the 2012 London Para- lympics. French squeezes in lunch- break workouts at Azalea Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, where the Fitness Zone was specially built to meet ac-
The Park Pushup: • Grip the back edge of the bench in a pushup position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your legs extended behind you. • Engaging your core and keeping your body in a straight line from head to heels, lower yourself into a pushup position. Support your weight with your arms and shoulders.
greenfields outdoor fitness
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