Media Only Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195
On Saturday, September 27, from 10 am to 2 pm, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will join Councilmember Marion Barry, the American Heart Association and others for “Recess by the River,” an event designed for hundreds of Wards 7 and 8 children to learn more about combating childhood obesity. The event, which takes place at Oxon Run Park located at Mississippi and Southern Avenues, SE, was created by organizers because recent statistics state that children who live in Ward 8 have the highest rate of childhood obesity in the nation.
Through various games and physical fitness activities, youth will learn how exercise can be fun and be done either alone or with friends and family. Activity stations will include:
- Free health screenings provided by CareFirst
- The Washington Redskins Cheer Station provided by GlaxoSmithKline
- Step and weightlifting, dance, boot camp and kickboxing classes provided by National Association of Teen Fitness & Exercise
- The Pigskin Toss by the DC Divas
- The Alliance for a Healthier Generation station
- The “Healthy for Your Heart” nutrition station
“Recess by the River” is targeted to children ages 8 to 14. Other partners for the day include the National Association of Teen Fitness, CareFirst, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, GlaxoSmithKline and the DC Divas. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Fort Davis Recreation Center, 1400 41st Street, SE.
WHAT:
Recess by the River
WHEN:
Saturday, September 27, 10 am – 2 pm
WHERE:
Oxon Run Park, Mississippi and Southern Avenues, SE
Parking will be available
VISUALS AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
- Marion Barry, Councilmember, Ward 8
- Marcus Ellis, Manager of Recreation Services, DC Department of Parks and Recreation
- Sean Smith, Representative, National Association of Teen Fitness and Exercise
- Representatives from the American Heart Association
- Members of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
- Members of the DC Divas
- Representatives from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
About Recess by the River
“Recess by the River” is the first time that these District agencies, community groups and corporate partners, agencies and community groups have united to fight childhood obesity. Through the use of innovative incentives and community resources, the American Heart Association and its partners have developed a program that will have a lasting effect on participants’ lives beyond Saturday. The American Heart Association is giving kids the tools they need to empower themselves to make healthy behavior changes and become leaders and advocates for healthy eating and physical activity. The program is truly a time for kids to step up to the plate as leaders in their communities and inspire each other and their families to go healthy by being more physically activity and eating healthier foods.
About the DC Department of Parks and Recreation
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) presents quality urban recreation and leisure services to residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. The agency supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, and neighborhood recreation centers as well as coordinates a wide variety of programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, child care services, and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006–07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more about Recess by the River and the American Heart Association, call (703) 248-1757.