The City of Covington Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs (DPRC) will soon be offering adults ages 50+ a new way to stay fit. Thanks to an instructor training grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Covington DPRC will offer the Walk With Ease program to the northshore community. The City of Covington Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs is one of 88 park and recreation agencies to receive the Walk With Ease instructor training grant.
Covington DPRC’s park and recreation programs are becoming centers of health and wellness in the community. The Walk With Ease program, developed by the Arthritis Foundation, is scientifically proven to help reduce pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, but offer benefits for people managing other chronic conditions. Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina have shown that Walk With Ease contributes to reduced pain, increased balance and strength, increased levels of physical activity and improved overall health. Together, NRPA and the CDC aim to reach more people living with arthritis and other chronic conditions to improve their levels of physical activity and quality of life through this trusted and measurable program administered by local parks and recreation. Walk With Ease programs must be conducted by certified and trained instructors.
“Sixty percent of adults in the United States suffer from one or more chronic conditions – including many of our neighbors who live right here in Covington and our Northshore community,” said Kelly Dietrich, DPRC Athletic Programs Director.
“DPRC is totally energized about the Walk With Ease program and we’re ‘hands-on’. Kelly Dietrich, DPRC Athletic Programs Director and I successfully fulfilled all instructor training requirements and received our Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Program Leaders and American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certifications earlier this year. This grant from NRPA and the CDC allows us to help adults in our community, and adds a new way Covington residents can work to achieve a healthy lifestyle,” said Pam Keller, Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs.
The programs provided by the Covington DPRC will be offered three times per week for six weeks. The classes are ideally suited for anyone that is interested in a low-impact exercise program in their local community, especially those looking to manage their chronic condition. The program is scheduled to begin the week of April 30th; two classes, limited to 25 participants each. Registration is now open and there is no charge for the first 50 registrants.
For additional information, visit www.covla.com/recreation or contact the DPRC office at recreation@covla.com | 985.898.4737
