General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri testing out the new equipment and his strength!

A HEALTHY IMPROVEMENT

Dedication of jogging/walking path & outdoor exercise equipment

Los Angeles - Glassell Park Recreation Center is an integral part of its community. The recreation center serves as a safe haven for local youth by providing afterschool care, sports programs and extended hours and programming during the summer months. The center also has a strong Park Advisory Board and Senior Club both comprised of community members.

Glassell Park truly makes a difference in the surrounding community with its programming and amenities. The popular park helps neighbors have more productive and fulfilling lives. The park's newest addition will contribute to that legacy by encouraging Glassell patrons to improve their health by exercising.

The Department of Recreation and Parks and Council President Eric Garcetti proudly dedicated a jogging/walking path and outdoor exercise equipment at Glassell Park on Monday, April 26, 2010. General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and local community members were all on hand to help cut the red ribbon and start exercising.

The outdoor improvement project included the construction of 1/3-mile jogging/walking path that goes along the perimeter of the park grounds. Along the path there are five different exercise stations with equipment that can be used for cardiovascular, strength and coordination workouts.

The fitness equipment is easy-to-use and is designed to be durable, vandal resistant and used in various configurations. The equipment uses the body’s mass for resistance instead of a weighted system which allows the equipment to be used by people of all ages and stages of physical fitness, with no concern of injury.

Recreation and Parks' Planning and Construction Division worked with the Architectural Division of the Department of Public Works' Bureau of Engineering to design the enhancements. The Recreation and Parks Construction Division and Landscape and Irrigation Unit built the jogging/walking path and installed the exercise equipment. Funding for the $395,000 project was provided by developer fees.

The idea for the project came about from the local community and Councilmember Garcetti's office and is a reflection of the Citywide Community Needs Assessment that was conducted by the Department of Recreation and Parks starting in November 2007 and culminating in 2009.

Glassell Park is located at 3650 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles 90065. For more information on the park's programming and amenities call the recreation center directly at (323) 257-1863.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689