City Parks Foundation helps seniors get in shape

April 28, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Yoga lessons are being offered by the City Parks Foundation at Kaiser Park in Coney Island. Photo by Alan Roche

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Senior citizens can find great ways to get in shape this spring season, thanks to the City Parks Foundation, an organization that is constantly striving to encourage New Yorkers to enjoy the city’s outdoor recreation areas.

Under its CityParks Seniors Fitness program, the City Parks Foundation is offering a series of activities for New Yorkers age 60 and above.

The program, which began on April 24, is being offered in 16 parks across the five boroughs, including three parks in Brooklyn: Kaiser Park in Coney Island, Marine Park in Marine Park and South Oxford Park in Fort Greene.

Senior citizens can take free tennis lessons, learn how to do yoga and enjoy power walking.

Here is the schedule for CityParks Seniors Fitness programs in Brooklyn:

Kaiser Park — Tennis: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 11 a.m. at the tennis courts on Neptune and Bayview avenues.
Marine Park — Yoga: Mondays/Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the Nature Center on Avenue U and East 32nd Street.
South Oxford Park — Yoga: Monday/Wednesday at 11 a.m. at South Oxford Street and Atlantic Avenue.

“Exercise is so important at all ages, but it is especially important for seniors who typically lead more sedentary lifestyles,” said Mike Silverman, director of sports at City Parks Foundation. “We’ve found that exercising even just once a week helps participants feel better mentally and emotionally. The program is a great opportunity for seniors to be social and meet new people in their neighborhoods, while getting outside and having some fun.”

Exercise can help participants feel better, maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes and minimize the symptoms of arthritis, according to the City Parks Foundation.

CityParks Seniors Fitness has served over 10,000 participants since the program was introduced in 2006.

The free exercise program for seniors will run through June 16.

For more information, call the City Parks Foundation’s Sports Department at 718-760-6999.

The foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer programs in public parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Its programs can be found in more than 350 parks, recreation centers, and public schools across New York City and reach 425,000 New Yorkers a year, according to its leaders.

The foundation works in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation on all of its programs.