Miami-Dade County Parks Celebrates the Opening of the New Fitness Zone® Outdoor Gym at Ives Estates Park
(MIAMI, November 19, 2013) - The installation of a new Fitness Zone® exercise area at Ives Estates Park (20901 NE 16 Avenue, Miami FL 33179) will officially be dedicated on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. The community is invited to join the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Miami-Dade County District 1 Commissioner Barbara Jordan and representatives from The Trust for Public Land (TPL) Fitness Zone® Program, the Health Foundation of South Florida (HFSF) and MetLife Foundation for a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fitness Zone® is comprised of outdoor gym equipment that’s designed to provide teens and adults with strength-training and cardio exercise. It is free and easy-to-use.
The new Fitness Zone® area at Ives Estates Park consists of a cluster of nine fitness stations situated on a large concrete pad. There is a “Leg Press,” a “Cross Country Ski,” a “Pendulum Abs,” a sit-ups bench, and an elliptical trainer. Additional items include a “Chest Press,” a “Lat Pull Down,” a “Vertical Press,” and two horizontal bars with a hand-cycle. There are also ADA accessible versions of the exercise equipment designed for people in wheelchairs. The entire site is ADA accessible.
Miami-Dade County Parks has added outdoor gyms to 13 parks since July 2012. Similar fitness areas are also planned for Goulds Park, Gratigny Plateau Park, Tree Island Park and North Trail Park.
''Thanks to our Parks Department and public-private partnerships, residents and visitors can now enjoy more, free recreational opportunities,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “I invite fitness enthusiasts and those wanting to become healthier to come to the event and work out.”
“The Trust for Public Land Fitness Zone® exercise areas offer an outdoor exercise opportunity in neighborhoods where they are needed most and are developed in partnership with local parks departments, foundations and donors. Our goal is to ensure that all Americans enjoy easy access to parks and the quality exercise needed to support fitness and health,” Brenda McClymonds, The Trust for Public Land’s Miami-Dade program director.
“I am delighted to see this wonderful new park space. This new outdoor exercise equipment will help to improve the health and well-being of neighbors and the livability of this neighborhood,” said Commissioner Jordan.
“We all know that regular exercise is important to maintaining good health. These new fitness stations are designed to help people get the exercise that they need and will encourage them to get outdoors and stay active,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys.
Funding of $110,000 for the Fitness Zone was provided by Miami-Dade County Parks through the Building Better Communities Bond Program and TPL in partnership with HFSF and MetLife Foundation, the result of an ongoing collaboration.
The 94-acre park also has a playground, two-lighted youth softball fields, a lighted football/soccer field and a small recreation building with a covered patio. For directions and information about the facilities at Ives Estates Park visit www.miamidade.gov or call 305-770-3125.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks_foundation.
To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-755-7848.