Imagine this. Worcester residents lie back and relax in Elm Park’s Sound Bath, soaking up the gentle rhythms and feeling their stress melt away.
Others flock to Vernon Park’s self-defense classes. The class combines strength and cardio-based exercises with techniques for attacking and escaping attackers. Young residents are practicing basketball at Crompton Park, while others are taking Zumba classes at the YMCA’s Fuller Family Park, combining physical movements with dance steps. .
All of this is part of Summer Fitness in the Parks, a 12-week program put on by the City of Worcester Health and Human Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in partnership with YWCA Central Massachusetts and the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. It was a scene from.
Over 12 weeks, more than 215 people of all abilities, ranging in age from 5 to 77, took part in these free sessions held in parks and green spaces across the city. This program was so successful and popular that these partners hosted a fall Fitness in the Parks program, which has been discontinued.
The program allows residents to experience the city’s beautiful parks while building relationships with local residents and participating in physical and mental health activities. It provides an opportunity for both youth and adults to come together and learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The ultimate goal is to provide Worcester residents with opportunities to participate in healthy eating, active lifestyles, and community building, so that we can all work together to create a healthier Worcester.
Families have been pictured enjoying a day of ice skating at Worcester Common Oval.
Blue Cross and the City of Worcester are committed to helping people live healthy lives and removing physical and social barriers that contribute to health disparities. And this fitness series is just one element of our long-standing partnership and commitment to providing programs to keep Worcester fit and healthy all year long.
We have worked together to provide free skating opportunities throughout the winter season at the downtown oval rink. We also worked together to open a wellness studio at the Worcester Senior Center that will open in winter 2022.
And we’re excited to announce that the City of Worcester, Blue Cross and the National Fitness Campaign are partnering to open an outdoor fitness court in Worcester in mid-October of this year. With 12 locations already in Massachusetts, this new space will expand free access to high-quality training and provide Worcester residents with equitable access to exercise. Created with all abilities in mind and aimed at people ages 14 and up, the workouts are adapted to all fitness levels. Fitness court location and ribbon cutting will be announced soon.
These collaborative initiatives demonstrate the benefits and importance of investing in healthy communities to improve overall health and well-being, address long-standing health disparities, and strengthen local economic conditions.
Research shows that exercise is not only important for your physical health, but it can also help improve your mental health, build social connections, lower stress levels, and even boost your immune system.
Investing in healthy communities also helps reduce health disparities. We know that health is directly related to the physical environment, and some communities carry a disproportionate environmental burden associated with health disparities.
Programs like Fitness in the Park promote equitable access to green spaces by offering free programs in easily accessible public spaces that everyone can enjoy. This summer, the program reached many people facing even greater health inequalities. Of all enrollees, 26% were Black or African American, 9% were Hispanic/Latino, 4% were multiracial, 3% were Asian, and 1% were American Indian/Alaska Native.
These investments in communities also help improve economic conditions. A healthier population contributes to a stronger local economy, and a stronger local economy contributes to a healthier population. The strongest link between health and the economy is maintaining a healthier workforce.
Healthy workers are more likely to show up to work, be more productive at work, have better physical and mental health, and be more likely to participate in education and skills training. Additionally, a strong economy means better jobs, benefits like better health insurance, and higher wages. When people are paid more, they invest more in higher education, which in turn improves the health and income of the population.
We all have an interest in investing in and supporting the health and well-being of our communities, and we will continue to work together towards this goal. Because a healthier, fairer Worcester is better for everyone.
Jeff Bellows is vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Dr. Mathilde Castiel is the Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Worcester.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Opinion: Park fitness makes Worcester healthier and happier
