Bataan Park Outdoor Fitness Zone: New, and free, in High Point

| Health | High Point | West Seattle news

Thanks to Wendy Hughes-Jelen for that photo of part of a brand-new installation in High Point – the Bataan Park Outdoor Fitness Zone at High Point Drive SW and Bataan Place SW. We got first word from Denise Sharify with Neighborhood House:

Be Active Together (Neighborhood House) and Open Space Association at High Point announces the opening of the Bataan Park Outdoor Fitness Zone

First of a kind in West Seattle, if not Seattle, The Zone offers FREE outdoor exercise equipment to the community 24/7. They are fun to use and accessible for almost everyone.

There are 8 pieces of equipment that make up a medium-sized gym center outdoors in a beautiful setting. A person who works his or her way through the entire circuit will get a high-quality aerobic and strength workout for the whole body.

*Located next to a children’s playground, it promotes family fitness and intergenerational play

*Offers communities a great way to promote wellness and fight obesity.

Join us at the grand opening on Sept. 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and work out with fitness expert Willie Austin. Live Jazz music and refreshments provided.

For more information or to receive training as a Fitness Zone ambassador, call Denise Sharify at 206.571.5070.

The new Fitness Zone was built with the help of a grant from KaBOOM! (previously known around here for the Delridge Playground) and Dr. Pepper/Snapple.

EJ August 29, 2012 (7:05 pm)

This. Is. Awesome. Period!!

add August 29, 2012 (7:33 pm)

Very cool! I’ll have to check it out.

Sonoma August 29, 2012 (8:03 pm)

Great idea – I look forward to giving this a whirl. However, Bataan? I associate that with the infamous Bataan Death March. I’m sure the workout will be a lot easier.

CJ August 29, 2012 (8:10 pm)

Clever idea! I would love to see this in more places.

Heather August 29, 2012 (8:18 pm)

What a cool idea!

NW Momma August 29, 2012 (8:27 pm)

How awesome! Hope people use it!

Silly Goose August 29, 2012 (8:41 pm)

This is fantastic, I love it and would love to see more of these in parks. Great idea maybe I can use it before it gets to crowded.

Wendy Hughes-Jelen August 29, 2012 (9:14 pm)

KaBOOM also was part of the chidlren’s playground adjacent to the Fitness Zone here in High Point. We went and tried out some of the equipment after going to the Health Fair, and there are a few things I definitely need to work on!

The Fitness Zone is for ages 14 and older. There’s been tons of very small kids on the equipment today. It’s going to be a real issue, and I am worried somsone is going to get hurt. If you happen to try out the equipment here and if you see any obviously too small kids please tell them the equipment is for 14 and older because they can get hurt. Most of them have responded well. Not all of them tho, so try to talk to reason to the 8 year olds, if that is even possible. **grin**

trickycoolj August 29, 2012 (11:03 pm)

Unfortunately the 8 year olds on this side of the neighborhood are not really the reasoning types. I hear their mom’s yelling at them to get back inside after they sneak out to play outside after midnight and some of them yell really mean things at each other. Something tells me no amount of reasoning is going to keep them off of adult exercise equipment.

Donna August 29, 2012 (11:15 pm)

What was the budget for it?

Riley August 30, 2012 (7:34 am)

Not the first in Seattle, New Holly in South Seattle has this type of exercise equipment at one of their playgrounds.

AN August 30, 2012 (9:16 am)

They have these in NY and when Lincoln Park was talking about the Zipline,I was thinking they should explore this idea.

KS August 30, 2012 (10:51 am)

Where is this located? Cross streets?

WSB August 30, 2012 (10:56 am)

Hi, KS – they are in the first line of the story.

Kelly August 30, 2012 (1:50 pm)

Congratulations to High Point.

LyndaB August 30, 2012 (2:49 pm)

Sonoma-

I did some research. Bataan Place was named in honor/memory of those went through the death march. The street itself was removed from the redevelopment of High Point initially. Councilmembers Tim Rasmussen and David Della sponsored an ordinance to return the street.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Housing-project-will-feature-a-Bataan-Street-1138439.php

WSB August 30, 2012 (3:09 pm)

Thanks, Lynda. I had wondered about that on occasion and never did look it up. That was a couple years before we started doing this. – TR

lonelyinWS August 30, 2012 (7:12 pm)

Ok… so who’s going to clean the sweat and germs off the machines?

miws August 30, 2012 (8:19 pm)

Ok… so who’s going to clean the sweat and germs off the machines?

Whomever deems it necessary to do so, and comes prepared with sanitizing wipes, and utilizes them before they and/or their kids partake of the equipment…

Mike

skeeter August 31, 2012 (11:02 am)

Please also set a good example by picking up some trash while children are watching. These kids need role models!

A-Dub! September 4, 2012 (8:29 am)

This is awesome! I will have to check it out! I do agree with a few comments on the children here with the filthy mouths, I been yelled at by several when I just ask them to move their bikes from behind my car. Let me tell you the parents don’t care, we have 3 yr olds play in our street at 2am in the morning!

Sorry, comment time is over.