TEN NEW WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE

Dedication of Outdoor Fitness Equipment at Eagle Rock RC

Eagle Rock - Whip out your tennis shoes and sweat bands, it's time to get ACTIVE! Eagle Rock Recreation Center has some new healthy improvements. The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated new Outdoor Fitness Equipment at the popular East L.A. park on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. RAP's General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri and Councilmember Jose Huizar helped cut the ceremonial red ribbon to officially open up the new equipment to the community.

The $70,000 project includes the installation of ten pieces of outdoor fitness equipment. Park patrons can work out almost every part of their body. The fitness equipment available at Eagle Rock RC include: a 2-person vertical press, power rower, double horizontal bar, 2-person airwalker, 2-person cross country skier, 2-person lying leg curl, dual inclined crunch bench, stair climber, dual inclined crunch bench, stair climber, dual pendulum and a 4-person leg press. The easy-to-operate equipment uses the body's mass for resistance instead of a weighted system which allows the fitness gear to be used by people of all ages and stages of physical shape. Councilmember Huizar demonstrated how simple it is to use the new equipment by jumping on the stair climber in his suit and dress shoes!

Funding for the exercise equipment project came from developer fees. RAP's Planning and Construction Division designed the improvements and RAP's Citywide Construction Forces installed the outdoor equipment.

RAP is pleased to be providing the Eagle Rock community with fitness amenities to help encourage healthy living. Eagle Rock Recreation Center is located at 1100 Eagle Vista Drive in Los Angeles 90041.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: 213.202.2690

Amy A. Garcia: 213.202.2689

A PLACE TO GATHER, RELAX, PLAY & READ

Dedication of Westwood Gardens Park

West Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) celebrated the dedication of Westwood Gardens Park on Thursday, February 10, 2011. The neighborhood park is located next to the Westwood Library and was designed to provide residents with a beautiful and natural reading area and accommodate activities such as storytelling and outdoor lectures.

Transformed from an old parking lot, Westwood Gardens Park was truly a community effort. The parking lot's transformation was suggested by local community members and Council District 5 and is a reflection of the Citywide Community Needs Assessment that was conducted by RAP from November 2007 through 2009. The community was involved in the design process through Public Outreach Meetings.

The new passive park features benches, decomposed granite paths, landscaping, perimeter fencing and a smart irrigation system. The .29-acre park was constructed by RAP's Planning and Construction Division.

RAP is please to be providing Westwood residents and library visitors with a new pocket park to come together to relax, play and read! Westwood Gardens Park is located at 1264 South Glendon Avenue in Los Angeles 90024. The new park will be open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: 213.202.2690

Amy A. Garcia: 213.202.2689