En español | ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Today, AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins opened the first of many AARP-branded fitness parks that the organization will donate to local communities to commemorate AARP’s 60^th anniversary. The first park opened today in Booker Creek Park in St. Petersburg, Fla. Over the next three years, AARP intends to work with national nonprofit FitLot^TM to build parks in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The parks feature stationary equipment that can be adapted to meet a wide range of fitness levels and abilities.

“We’re thrilled that this fitness park gives the people of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, including AARP members, a new space to play and stay healthy. We have a strong commitment to local communities and hope that these parks will be a boon for each state and territory that we serve,” said Jenkins. “Health and wellness have been a priority for AARP since our founding. We’re excited to honor AARP’s 60 years of service by offering a new way to stay healthy to local communities.”

AARP has a long history in the St. Petersburg area; founder Ethel Percy Andrus opened one of four AARP hospitality houses in the city, offering classes and activities for seniors. It was also the location of AARP’s first mail-order pharmacy, which helped members combat high prescription drug prices.

“I am excited and honored to have the first AARP-branded fitness park in the United States. St. Petersburg is leading the way to ensure our citizens have healthy options to live, work and play, and I appreciate AARP recognizing our efforts. I want to sincerely thank AARP for their generous investment in Booker Creek Park, helping bring our community together for a healthy cause,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, who took part in the ribbon cutting today.

Also at the ceremony, fitness coach June Kittay demonstrated how the FitLot^TM exercise equipment works and can be adapted for different ability levels.

AARP’s second fitness park is scheduled to open later this year in Ohio, and more than a dozen parks are planned for 2019 in locations across the country.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

Media Contact: Amanda Davis, 202-434-7872, adavis@aarp.org, @AARPMedia