Fitness Zone® Program Launched in Miami-Dade County

The Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department, announces the grand opening of the organization’s first Fitness Zone® installation at West Perrine Park. The dedication will take place Wednesday, July 18th at 10 a.m. West Perrine Park is located at 10371 SW 170 Terrace in Miami-Dade County. The Trust for Public Land representatives along with Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Commissioner Dennis Moss, and the Miami Dolphins organization will be in attendance.

“The Trust for Public Land Fitness Zone® creates a fun, accessible, and social environment where people can enjoy getting fit. TPL Fitness Zone® are equipped with clusters of outdoor gym equipment providing park visitors with a cardiovascular and resistance/weight bearing workout,” says Brenda McClymonds, The Trust for Public Land’s Fitness Zone program director in Florida.

Funded by MetLife Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida and The Miami Foundation, TPL Fitness Zone® feature 9 pieces of single and multi-user top quality equipment contained within approximately 1,300 square feet of designated park space. The equipment is similar to what you might find in a private gym, but is more durable to resist weather and vandalism and appropriate for use by youth (age 13 and older) and adults of all fitness levels.

The goal of TPL’s Fitness Zone® program is to increase exercise and address the nation’s growing epidemic of obesity and related health problems. Obesity is the number one preventable cause of death in America. One in four Floridians are classified as obese and at risk from heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and depression.

“The Trust for Public Land is creating more opportunities for physical activity by providing free, safe and healthy places to exercise in neighborhoods where opportunities for exercise are scarce and residents cannot afford private gym fees. Through the Fitness Zone® program, TPL helps communities get and stay fit together-right where they live,” said McClymonds. “Affordability and accessibility should never prevent a person from being able to use exercise equipment and outdoor space that promotes healthy living and improves their quality of life,” she adds.

“Parks and playgrounds are vital components of livable communities,” said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with TPL, Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department and the other funders to increase opportunities for local residents to enhance their health and well being through outdoor exercise.”

Partnering with Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department, The Trust for Public Land strives to have a positive impact on the health of community park users in neighborhoods throughout the county. TPL will continue the partnership with new Fitness Zone® openings in Oak Grove Park, Leisure Lakes Park and Martin Luther King Park.

The Trust for Public Land has a long history of working with Miami-Dade County, including helping to establish the 1996 Safe Neighborhood Parks Referendum, facilitating a public access plan for Biscayne Bay and creating the plan for the Miami River Greenway, as well as acquiring over 600 acres of new park space within the county.

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since 1972, TPL has helped protect 3 million acres nationwide. To date, TPL has designed and installed 32 Fitness Zone sites across America. TPL depends on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations.