Arvada Offering Residents Fun Ways to Stay Fit this Year with Healthy Places Initiative
ARVADA – The City of Arvada and the Healthy Places: Designing an Active Arvada initiative announce new, fun activities that give residents in southeast Arvada a variety of ways to enjoy Terrace and Homestead Parks. Programs are free and open to all.
The Healthy Places Initiative works with community members to identify opportunities to make Arvada a healthier and more active community. In early 2015, the Initiative sponsored a community grant program for the development and implementation of healthy programming that caters to residents in the southeast section of Arvada. The following programs were selected:
SAYS: Free Soccer League, Contact: Debra Shirley, 303-982-1680
Starting this fall the Southeast Arvada Youth Soccer (SAYS), a free soccer league designed for kids in southeast Arvada, is partnering with the City of Arvada, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club’s Soccer for Success program, Arvada Soccer Association, APEX Parks and Recreation, and five Jeffco Schools including Arvada K8, Lawrence, Secrest, Swanson, and Foster Elementary. Visit healthyplacesarvada.org/healthy-places-resources-classes-and-events for dates, times, and locations of ongoing programming.
Diving Ducks and Flying Finches, Contact: Doug Shoffner, 303-246-8215
Calling all kids: Join Kids of Olde Town (KOOT) and learn more about feathered friends in your backyard. Using binoculars, sporting scopes, field guides, and mobile apps, kids are introduced to concepts of conservation, habitat restoration, and ecology all while being outside and active.ÒLikeÓ Kids of Olde Town on Facebook to find out dates, times, and locations.
Something for Everyone Contact:Jen Spettel, 303-422-4977
Susan Duncan YMCA is hosting a series of fitness classes in Homestead and Terrace Parks ranging from family boot camp, Insanity, Zumba, Yoga, and Tai Chi. Classes are designed for all ages and will be complemented with Community Health Fairs that include assessments on general health including blood pressure testing, body composition analysis, flexibility, body circumferences, muscular strength and endurance, recovery heart rate, and resting heart rate. Fitness in the Park launch parties will take place at Terrace Park this Sunday, August 2 from 4 – 5 p.m. and at Homestead Park this Monday, August 3 from 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. Visitwww.denverymca.org/arvada/healthy-places for dates, times, and locations of ongoing programs in the park.
Weekly Walks and Bike Rides Contact: Rose Chavez, 720-898-7535 and Wesley Dismore, 720-471-7658
The Arvada Bicycle Advisory Committee and local Walk Leaders host weekly walks and bike rides in Arvada. Two morning walks are currently being held at Homestead Park on Tuesdays and Terrace Park on Wednesdays. Bike rides head out from different destinations eachSaturday with routes tailored to the novice and intermediate rider.
A series of monthly bike meet-up rides will be hosted by the Healthy Places Initiative. All rides leave Olde Town Square.
August 30, 5 p.m.: I Scream, You Scream, We all Bike for Ice Cream!! Free ice cream for all participants!
September 27, 9:30 a.m.: Sustainability Tour. Find out about some cool green destinations including a few local community gardens in Arvada. Participants will enjoy free green giveaways!
October 30, 6 p.m.: Halloween Costume Bike Ride. Ride in costume and decorate your bike to match. Prizes for the best costumes!
November 8, 3 p.m.: Hot Chocolate and Fall Color Cruise. Everyone enjoys free hot drinks after cruising the local trail system and enjoying the changing fall colors!
About Healthy Places: Designing an Active Arvada
Healthy Places: Designing an Active Arvada is an initiative funded by the Colorado HealthFoundation. The City of Arvada is proud to have been selected as one of three Colorado communities to participate. If you are interested in being involved in Healthy Places or finding more ways to be active, visit http://healthyplacesarvada.org/ or contact Rose Chavez, Healthy Places Coordinator, rchavez@arvada.org
