AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins recently opened the first of many AARP-branded fitness parks that the organization will donate to local communities to commemorate AARP’s 60th anniversary.
Over the next three years, AARP intends to work with national nonprofit FitLotTM to build parks in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The parks feature stationary equipment that can be adapted to meet a wide range of fitness levels and abilities.
The first park opened in Booker Creek Park in St. Petersburg, Fla.
AARP’s second fitness park is scheduled to open later this year in Ohio, and more than a dozen parks are planned for 2019 in locations across the country.
With an open floor plan and shaded by a canopy, the fitness parks will all look alike and be situated in areas where they can add the most value, in areas with high foot traffic that are not already served by something similar, officials said.
The parks feature stationary equipment such as steppers, climbers and chin-up bars that can be adapted to meet a range of fitness levels and abilities. Additionally, hooks throughout that can be used with resistance bands add the function of free weights.
“We’re thrilled that this fitness park gives the people of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, including AARP members, a new space to play and stay healthy. We have a strong commitment to local communities and hope that these parks will be a boon for each state and territory that we serve,” said Jenkins. “Health and wellness have been a priority for AARP since our founding. We’re excited to honor AARP’s 60 years of service by offering a new way to stay healthy to local communities.”
AARP has a long history in the St. Petersburg area; founder Ethel Percy Andrus opened one of four AARP hospitality houses in the city, offering classes and activities for seniors. It was also the location of AARP’s first mail-order pharmacy, which helped members combat high prescription drug prices.
“I am excited and honored to have the first AARP-branded fitness park in the United States. St. Petersburg is leading the way to ensure our citizens have healthy options to live, work and play, and I appreciate AARP recognizing our efforts,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.
AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, To learn more, visit www.aarp.org.
