Florham Park Eagle
May 7, 2010
FLORHAM PARK – With the goal of promoting healthy and active lifestyles, the Florham Park Municipal Alliance Committee and the Mayors Wellness Campaign are teaming up to present a fun-filled day of outdoor fitness classes, health screenings, and nutritious food.
“Natural High” Family Fitness Day will be held Sunday, May 23, at the municipal complex at 111 Ridgedale Avenue. The “rain date” is Sunday, June 6. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. on the Gazebo Lawn, where most of the fitness classes will take place. The event will move to the pavilion at the Community Center at 12:15 pm.
A suggested donation of $10 per person, $20 per family of three, or $25 for a family of four or more, will entitle participants to attend two fitness classes and a barbeque lunch.
Donations will benefit the Florham Park Athletics Foundation, which is raising money to construct the 26-acre Elm Street Recreation Complex. The planned multi-use park would include walking and biking trails; lacrosse, football, and soccer fields; baseball and softball diamonds; a playground, and other active and passive recreational components.
Outdoor Classes
The first part of “Natural High” Family Fitness Day will include a series of outdoor fitness classes for adults and children.
Confirmed classes include:
• Yoga and Pilates led by Cheryl Riker, who teaches for the Florham Park Recreation Department;
• Martial Arts led by Apex Tigers Martial Arts and Taekwondo if 182 Ridgedale Ave. in Florham Park;
• Dancing led by DanceXtensions if 15 James St. in Florham Park;
• Kickboxing led by L.A. Boxing of 186 Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park, and
• Jazzercise for adults and juniors led by Stephanie Akers, who teaches for the Florham Park Senior Citizens Club as well as East Hanover Jazzercise.
Additional classes may be added.
Also on hand will be a public health nurse from the Florham Park Health Department to provide blood pressure testing and “dermo-scan” sun damage screenings.
A staff member from St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville will present an educational display on fat, salt, and sugar content in food and drinks.
And a representative of the American Cancer Society will be available to answer questions on sun safety and to distribute free sun block samples.
Following the morning programs, participants will be invited to a barbeque featuring delicious – and “heart-healthy” – food and drinks, as well as traditional barbeque fare. Members of the Florham Park Athletics Foundation will be stationed at the grills. Winners of a Florham Park Police Department essay and poster contest will be recognized during lunchtime.
Enjoy Paths, Courts
Throughout the day, participants will be encouraged to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities at the municipal complex, including walking paths at Emmett Park, the Dale Anderson Jaycees Tot Lot, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
The mission of the Municipal Alliance Committee is to prevent and reduce alcoholism and tobacco and substance abuse, along with violence, vandalism and victimization, while attempting to remedy the long-term harm and devastation substance abuse causes to young people and families. The committee said it acts in partnership with the Florham Park community and its allied agencies to promote a realistic and responsive approach, utilizing education, prevention, public awareness and intervention, while providing positive alternatives to at-risk behaviors.
The statewide Mayors Wellness Campaign develops and implements active-living initiatives with the ultimate goal of improving health and reducing the skyrocketing health care costs that come with the obesity problem in New Jersey. Florham Park is one of more than 20 municipalities in Morris County pledged to support the campaign’s goal.
For information or reservations, e-mail Sharon Boy, chairwoman of the Municipal Alliance Committee, at FlorhamMAC@aol.com, or call Florham Park Recreation Director Adam Lieb at (973) 410-5390.
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