City Parks Foundation & Senator Golden Invite Brooklyn Seniors

Brooklyn-NY: City Parks Foundation and Senator Marty Golden welcome all New Yorkers, ages 60 and over, to sign up for the Fall 2007 Season of CityParks Seniors Fitness, a free program offering tennis lessons, yoga instruction, and fitness walking in seven parks across New York City, including Marine Park in Brooklyn.

Beginning the week of September 17, CityParks Seniors Fitnesswill be offered in Marine Park in Brooklyn. The program will run through October 26, 2007 – see full schedule below.

Senator Marty Golden, who allocated State funding towards the program stated, "I am proud to have formed this important partnership on behalf of our community’s senior citizens. It is important that we develop programs that will provide an opportunity for recreation and physical fitness for our seniors. I invite and encourage seniors to take advantage of this professional and fun-filled program which is soon to begin."

Senator Golden continued, "As the enjoyable weather of the Fall season is upon us, how better to spend our mornings than learning the skill of tennis, yoga or just to take a walk in Marine Park. I encourage our community to participate in this program that will allow the seniors of our neighborhood to have fun, get some exercise, and learn new skills. So sign up and take your best shot. Who knows, maybe a little fun can lead to a passion for the game."

David Rivel, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation, said, "Just like City Parks Foundation’s free sports, arts, and education programs for youth, our seniors fitness program aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity. Especially in New York, the use of neighborhood parks is an excellent place for seniors to exercise and improve their health while meeting new friends and neighbors."

Seniors interested in registering for CityParks Seniors Fitness can call (718) 760-6999 or get more information at www.CityParksFoundation.org. All equipment and instruction will be offered free of charge.

The health benefits of fitness activities for seniors are well documented. Dr. Eileen Callahan, Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai Medical School, said, "Even in moderate amounts, 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."

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.
CPF appreciates the opportunity to work with Namaste New York and NY Walkers Club, organizations that will be providing expert instruction through the CityParks Seniors Fitness program.

This program is generously supported by Zwicker Electric, The Tuttle Fund, Hon. Martin J. Golden, New York State Senator, 22nd District, the New York City Council, and Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor.

The Fall 2007 Schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness follows:

Brooklyn - Marine Park
Tennis W/F 10 AM Tennis Courts Ave S & East 32 St
Yoga M/W 9AM Nature Center Ave U & East 32 St
Walking M/TH 10AM 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, offering the program in both the fall and spring. The program began in three parks in 2006, expanding to seven parks in 2007. Locations added in 2007 include Astoria, Inwood Hill, Riverside, and Roy Wilkins Parks.

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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