City Parks Foundation Launches Free City Parks Seniors Fitness In Brooklyn With Funds And Support From Senator Martin Golden

Brooklyn- City Parks Foundation and Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, is pleased to announce the start of its Autumn 2006 free CityParks Seniors Fitness program, which will offer tennis lessons, yoga instruction, bike trips, and fitness walking for seniors in Marine Park. Senator Golden secured funding necessary to offer seniors in Brooklyn the opportunity to learn new fitness activities, with free instruction and equipment during the autumn season.

Senator Marty Golden stated, “As the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, I am very proud to welcome the City Parks Foundation and the Senior Fitness Program to Marine Park this Fall. To expand the opportunities available for the older adults of our community to grow, to socialize and to stay fit is something that has my full fledged support. I look forward to visiting the program and getting fit along with the community.”

Dr. Eileen Callahan, Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai Medical School, said, “Fitness activity is a great way for seniors to maintain and improve their health. Many health concerns, including diabetes, high blood-pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, and possibly memory-loss, can be improved with consistent physical activity. Especially in New York, the use of neighborhood parks is an excellent place for seniors to exercise and improve their health.”

David Rivel, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation, said, “We welcome senior New Yorkers to get fit, stay healthy, and have fun together in city parks this Autumn, through our seniors fitness program. Programs like these are available as a result of support from public and private leaders, and we thank Senator Golden for his leadership and his support of this valuable program for Brooklyn seniors. Just like City Parks Foundation’s free sports, arts, and education programs for kids and communities throughout New York, our seniors fitness program aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity.”


Seniors interested in registering for CityParks Seniors Fitness can call (718) 699-4200 or get more information at www.CityParksFoundation.org. All equipment and instruction will be offered free (except for bike trips, where bikes will be required).


The Spring 2006 Schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness in Marine Park is as follows:

Tennis M/W 10 AM Tennis Courts Ave S & East 32 St
Walking M/W 9 AM Nature Center Ave U & East 32 St
Yoga T/TH 10 AM Nature Center Ave U & East 32 St
Biking T/TH 9 AM Nature Center Ave U & East 32 St


Background: From 2003 through 2005, City Park Foundation’s Tennis Program for Seniors provided six weeks of free lessons at all skill levels each Autumn. Due to the continued success of this program, CPF launched CityParks Seniors Fitness in 2006 which includes and expands upon the tennis program.

The health benefits of fitness activities for seniors are well documented. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help to maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis and osteoporosis. CPF appreciates the opportunity to work with Bike New York, Namaste New York, and NY Walkers Club, organizations that will be providing expert instruction through the CityParks Seniors Fitness program.

All activities take place twice a week at each location. To maximize health benefits, participants are encouraged to register for two or more weekly activities and maintain regular attendance.

This program is further generously supported by Zwicker Electric and the New York City Council. As in all of its programming and activities, City Parks Foundation partners with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to improve neighborhood parks and the communities they serve.

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