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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/21/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (19) L Dennis Mason, c.p.t. 555 Commercial Road, Suite#7, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-416-7570 Dennis@InShapeFitness.net Dear Mayor and Council Members, My name is Dennis Mason and I am both a personal trainer and resident of Palm Springs. I am also 61 years old and just this weekend won 1st Place in the Ultra Masters Class of Border States Bodybuilding Championship in San Diego. Unlike myself, not everyone feels comfortable working out in a gym with weights and machines. Still others work out in a gym and supplement that with outside activities such as walking and jogging. On April 22, 2004, the Desert Healthcare District's press release outlined their new Wellness Park. It was to be fitness park when it opened, complete with among other things... 5-6 exercises stations for push-ups, pull-ups, etc. On October 3rd a dedication of this park is planned for 9 a.m. However, you will be dedicating a park that does not have the exercise stations and equipment installed. According to Desert Healthcare District they are hoping to find the $18,000 for the stations during a Board meeting next Tuesday. If found, it will still be 4-6 weeks or more before a completed installation. I and some of my clients have been looking forward to using this park when com- pleted. I submit to you that dedicating an incomplete park is like having a grand opening for a gym that is complete with everything you need except the equipment or Opening a tennis facility without the nets. According to their press release, the City has agreed to lease and manage the completed park through Parks and Recreations at the end of 2004. 1 ask that you follow through with them to insure you take over a completed park sometime in 2005. Attached is a copy of their April 22, 2004 Press Release In Health, Dennis Mason dLI�S1�L� aW�d FOR IMMEDIATE, 1f 7LEAS] : April 22.2004 CONTACT: Michael Shepherd, (760) 340-9300, rnichael'a�thesheilnerduraui.coin Desert Healthcare District Partners wilin Loral Agencies to Matra Wellneso Fnp-h PALM SPRINGS, CA.—Desert Healthcare District is collaborating with Desert Water Agency, the City of Patin Springs and Palm Springs Unified School District to develop an eiwirominentally-friendly regional wellness park in Patna Springs. The five-acre welhicss park was inspired by the healthcare district's participation in the federal goverrmicrnt's Healthy People 2010 program,which encourages fitness and disease prevention. It will be one of the first parks of its kind in the counti v when it opens in late 2004. The site is at Via Miraleste and Tachcvah Road between Katherine Pinchy) lementary School and Las Patinas Medical Plaza and diagonal to Desert Regional Medical Center. The new wellness park will be more inclusive than a fitness park, since it is being designed for use by those who have health limitations as well as those who are well and want to stay that way. according to Mark]Matthews, Desert Healthcare District board president. There it ill be exercise stations,but there also will be level pathways. allowing those using wheelchairs and walkers to benefit from outdoor activity. There also will be a track for walking orjogging,tranquility and meduation gardons aril&low-level lighting for safe evening use. The plan began to lake shape after Desert Healthcare District, planning for long-range hospital expansion.purchased the surplus site from Palm Springs Unified School District. Rather diau leave the land unimproved for many years,hospital district officials brainstormed with Desert Water Agency and the city to find an immediate use benefiting the community. Desert Water Agency's board allocated n250,000 for a demonstration site for native, drought-tolerant landscaping.The Agency will oversee planting of both traditional and low-water landscaping,and installation of educational signage and recordings. Park visitors will be able to compare aesthetics and operational costs of drought-tolerant landscaping with more traditional grass and plains. Agency Director Tom Kialey III said"people are more receptive to new ideas when they feel good and are relaxed.The wellness park gives Desert Water Agency a perfect opportunity to reach residents at a time when the population is booming and water conscreaiion has never been more critical." The City agreed to lease the completed park, manage it through its parks and recreation deparnucnt and assume costs related to rnaintcnance, operation and security. Patin Springs Mayor Ron®den praised the project and the collaboration that made it possible. "At a time when there is no money for new projects, the wellness park is a model for how public agencies can join forces and resources for fire good of the community," said Oden. Healthcare District Director Tray Hazen led the planning team. "We've designed die park so those at all levels of wellness will have a positive experience,just as rigorous or as meditative as appropriate,"Hazen explained. "We envision rehabilitation and hospice patients crjopingthe park,along vn ith hospital employees,District residents,nearby office workers and schoolchildren. The park may vvell become a model for community-based partnerships as well as health promotion, said Healthcare District President Matthews. "The park addresses in a positive way the sedentary lifestyle that often leads to such problems as obesity. heat disease, cancer and diabetes. The wellness park will pay lasting dividends in better regional health for years to come." About Desert fieallheaure District Desert Healthcare District is a government agency, established by the state of California in 1948, to improve,and support community health programs within a 457-square-mile service area in the Coachella Valley. The District also owns aid oversees the lease of Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.