Boston kicks off free summer fitness series

On June 1, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department launched the 2018 Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The series starting Monday, June 4, will bring 30 free fitness classes per week to parks in 18 neighborhoods across the City.

Due to the program’s success, a full month of additional classes has been added to the three-month offerings of previous years. New classes include Carnival Fit, Cardio Dance and Afrobeat Bootcamp, and classes continue to be tailored to the interests of residents and participants, including age-friendly classes for kids and older adults. 

“This year, we're expanding fitness opportunities in more neighborhoods,” said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. “Being active can be tough for people who have less access to physical fitness options. The Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series is a fun way for people to stay on track to meet their health goals, by taking advantage of the open space in our city parks.”

According to the Health of Boston 2016-2017 report, 22 percent of adult residents and 15 percent of public high school students are obese. These rates are even higher among communities of color where 32 percent of black adults and 30 percent of Latino adults are obese, compared to 17 percent of white adult residents. Only 19 percent of Boston adult residents reported to exercise regularly.  

By engaging in a citywide effort to increase opportunities for physical activity, BPHC and the Parks Department aim to further reduce barriers to active living and achieve the goal of ensuring that Bostonians across the City have ample opportunities to be active.

“Our partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts provides a summer full of opportunities to enjoy healthy outdoor activities in our parks,” said Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook. “We want to put fitness programs within reach of Boston residents and this program does just that by providing quality instruction in neighborhood parks.”

“At Blue Cross, we are committed to helping all Massachusetts residents lead healthy lives by increasing their access to positive environments and experiences that inspire healthy eating and physical activity,” said Jeff Bellows, vice president of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs at Blue Cross. “We could not be more thrilled to partner with the City of Boston to provide accessible fitness opportunities that are high-quality, safe, and fun through this innovative program.”

The May 31 kick-off event featured free 30-minute Zumba and line dancing classes and provided an introduction to all that the series has to offer Bostonians this summer. Polar Beverages provided free water at the event. This year’s series includes classes for seniors, children and families, from June 4 to September 29, 2018.

For a full schedule of Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series classes, visit bphc.org/summerfitness. For updates, follow @HealthyBoston, @BostonParksDept, and #BostonMoves on Twitter and Instagram.

The Boston Public Health Commission, the country's oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston.

Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission - to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department creates and maintains clean, green, safe, and accessible open space overseeing 217 City parks, playgrounds and athletic fields, two golf courses, 65 squares, 17 fountains, 75 game courts, 16 historic and three active cemeteries, urban wilds, four high school athletic fields, and approximately 125,000 trees. The Department’s Recreation Division provides the best in free sports activities to Boston’s youth. The Department’s Design and Construction Unit oversees capital improvements, historic preservation, landscape design, and infrastructure throughout Boston’s city park system. The Boston Park Rangers provide a public safety service that fulfills Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of having “park keepers” patrol the parks in the late 1800s and the Department’s External Affairs Unit is responsible for sponsorships, public relations, ParkARTS, and special events and programming. In 2017 the Unit presented 720 programs and events.