New Seniors Wellness Circuit in Tisdall Park Opens on Saturday, July 25th

July 21, 2009 (No. 40) - A new seniors wellness circuit has been built in Tisdall Park, located at West 49th and Tisdall Street. Opening celebrations are slated for Saturday, July 25th at 10:30 am. Park Board Vice Chair Loretta Woodcock will be joined by Vancouver Deputy Mayor Suzanne Anton and The Honourable Mary McNeil, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek and Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC.

The wellness circuit is one of eighteen similar projects around the province that has been made possible through provincial funding of $100,000 from ActNow BC , a program that supports physical activity and healthy living. The Park Board provided an additional $65,000 to complete the project.

Installed in the northwest sector of the five hectare park, the wellness circuit is designed to help seniors stay mobile and physically active. It is comprised of a series of thirteen activity stations incorporating state of the art fitness equipment suitable for an outdoor environment. Adults of any age can benefit from the wellness circuit, which includes a cardio stepper, squat press, balance steps and tai chi wheels. The circuit has been built on a rubberized, resilient surface situated within an elegant plaza surrounded by fragrant perennial beds, benches and shade trees.

"Projects like Vancouver 's ActNow BC Seniors' Community Park are just one of the ways we are working to support older British Columbians in living healthier, more active lives," said Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC, Mary McNeil.

"This is a fantastic addition to our community," said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. "I'm very pleased that we're opening this new wellness circuit - it's part of a broader effort both in Vancouver and across BC to keep our seniors population active, able and independent."

Park Board Chair Raj Hundal added, "This new facility will provide a place for seniors to gather, make new friends and incorporate exercise into their daily life, year round and it will help us further our goal of helping Vancouver residents stay active and engaged."

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For more information contact Carol DeFina, Communications Coordinator at 604-257-8440.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.