Valpo Parks Uses Fit City to Encourage Improving Body, Mind, Character, and Community

Valpo Parks Uses Fit City to Encourage Improving Body, Mind, Character, and Community

For the new year, many are focusing on health, fitness, and making better choices throughout the year. Valpo Parks is no exception, which is why they’ve partnered with the City of Valparaiso to bring a larger focus to creating a Fit City!

The program focuses on four areas for development and gives people easy ways to make simple, effective change in their lives. From suggesting parking a little further out to encourage more walking, to reading books instead of watching television, the program encourages simple changes that over time, can make a huge impact.

Focusing on improving the body, mind, character, and community, Fit City is dedicated to helping residents of Valparaiso. Started in 2005, thousands have taken part, with many more joining and engaging with the program. Valpo Parks isn’t expecting residents to make these changes on their own, though, and have made multiple resources available for residents.

With 16 miles of pathways and 200 miles of sidewalks, improved walking routes are just one way Valpo Parks and the city are working to bring healthy choices to their residents. To aid residents in knowing their mileage and how far they’ve travelled, the Porter Health walking routes guide is available at the park office and also highlights biking pathways that are being built in the city. No bike? Check it out to find a Valpo Velocity station nearby!

In addition, there is even a community garden located at Foundation Meadows Park. There, residents can reserve a 10 x 10 plot for a small fee and grow flowers and fresh vegetables from May through November. Providing this space allows residents who struggle with space for gardening engage in a fun hobby, or grow fresh vegetables to use in meals.

Valpo Parks is also hosting Wellness Wednesdays and Fit Fridays at Central Park Plaza throughout the summer this year. These free events provide an opportunity for all to engage in fitness activities. To make it easier to attend, these events are free and require no registration!

For those looking for a little more activity, there are also the New Year, New You Challenge and Kitchen Rescue classes. Each free class meets weekly to encourage attendees to either lose weight and meet their goals, or teach them what they should have in the pantry to prepare high energy, healthy meals. Creating a plan is important when trying to reach goals, and these programs aid in doing so.

While Valpo Parks may be known for the beautiful parks it provides to the city, they’re also responsible for creating some amazing programs for the residents to enjoy as well. For more information on Fit City and Valpo Parks, visit: http://www.valpoparks.org/