The City Parks Foundation recently organized the Senior Fitness Fair for the second time, offering free healthy activities for individuals aged 60 and above at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This event aims to promote community involvement among seniors, encouraging them to stay healthy and engage with others through various activities such as tennis, yoga, fitness walking, and tai chi.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation collaborated with the City Parks Foundation for this event, with members assisting in running the activities and the iconic Mr. Met making a special appearance to join the seniors. The partnership between these two foundations has enabled the City Parks Foundation to continue offering programs like the Senior Fitness Fair at 21 parks across New York City throughout the year.
Jonathan Gamberg, the Director of Operations at City Parks Foundation, highlighted the importance of physical activity for seniors, emphasizing that staying active can improve their mental, social, and emotional well-being in addition to their physical health. The year-round programs offered by the Senior Fitness Fair provide seniors with opportunities to stay engaged, meet new people, and enjoy the outdoors.
One of the participants, Margaret Dozier from Corona, has been involved in City Parks Foundation programs for eight years. She expressed her enjoyment of being able to be active outdoors, play tennis, and socialize with others in a safe and non-competitive environment. Seeing Mr. Met taking part in the activities added an extra element of fun to the event, making participants feel youthful and energized.
Dozier hopes that the Senior Fitness Fair will continue for years to come, providing seniors with valuable opportunities to stay active, socialize, and enjoy the benefits of community engagement. The success of this event reflects the positive impact of promoting healthy and active lifestyles among seniors, helping them remain physically and socially active well into their golden years.