May 2010 Fitness Update^2

See the the videos of the event here!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU1BV7A2dN0
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjSB7-4Ts2M
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC8AexvaaGw
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j_GjLZaWwA
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lELCnj_eAGk
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPHy3oOFGwg 

Wendy says,

On Behalf of FBSP, Thank you for coming to the 1st Annual FBSP Fitness Expo and Demos.

A mother said to me the other day, “I love coming to Brown Street Park. My kids have outgrown other parks, but you can never out grow BSP. There is something for everyone.”  With the completion of our fitness area (for now) we know this to be true. 

This new equipment reflects the Mission of Brown Street Park to create a sustainable space that fosters a sense of community. A park friend recently mentioned that she wasn’t crazy about the look of the traveling rings, but as she sat on the hill reading, watching kids, teens, college kids trying to negotiate their way through the bars, she said, “It’s kind of cool how people are helping each other out. They are teaching each other how to do it. I like it now.”

Brown Street Park has a focus on Sustainability - using Repurposed, recycled and select new elements with a focus on sustainability (simple, low cost, low maintenance and encourages continuity of use) A creative collaborative effort with private donors and businesses, non-profits, city, and most importantly, volunteers from the community.

Arts and health programming for all ages - this will be our third year offering free fitness programming to all in the community with our community Partners the East Side Mt Hope YMCA. This year we will be including free childcare. We also provide playdates Tuesdays with our friends from CVS that promote health and play without batteries and screens. Open space and natural play.

Wow…It’s fun and the whole family can play at BSP. This new area is a playground for adults and teens. No machines or batteries required.

We are grateful for the following support

• Allison, Spooner, Former board member and current President of College Hill Neighborhood Association For her tireless work to see this fitness installation become a reality at BSP. Allison worked closely with a number of constituents, sponsors and donors to determine the best way to get adults and teens excited about and committed to fitness and then find a way to make that happen at Brown Street Park. This Adult/Teen playground is a result of her vision. Thank you Allison!
• Beth Charlebois, Director of Neighborhood Parks and Acting Director of Recreation for working collaboratively with us, providing resources and supporting our creative approach to programming and park design.
• Councilman Cliff Wood For helping us to find resources and supporting our mission by championing this effort and making it known that FBSP are serious about our mission.
• Christy Claussen, Director of wellness for East Side Mt Hope YMCA for supporting the health of our community and making programming at BSP accessible to all.
• Kara Kelley, Fitness coordinator for Friends of Brown Street Park for making today and all for making our summer fitness programming possible.

Additionally, we are grateful to: Dorlene, Augustine, Jacquin and Collin from (Riverside Park, NYC) Our Ring Swingers from Riverside Park Wright Deter Metal Fabrication, (fence demolition) Vinnie Mancuso (fence installation) Crossfit Providence (consultants and fence removal) East Side/Mt Hope YMCA (consultants) Lou Gitlin and Mid City Steel (fence materials and consultation) Goric Company (nets and materials) PRM Concrete (concrete for the footings) David Kirk, owner of K Electric for drilling all of the post holes K Electric, Inc.

And finally, a big thank you to Andrew Sarna at Newport Collaborative Architects for coming upp with the layout for the equipment and for his time and effort to manage the installation.