New fitness gear for Mercerdale Park

Published 12:32 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Mercerdale Park, used by many Islanders for exercise, will soon become an even better place to get fit.

Four pieces of “healthy living” equipment are currently being installed. The project should wrap up by the end of October, said parks superintendent Jason Kintner, but was delayed slightly – first by rain and then by the the Island’s ‘boil water’ advisories.

“The wet weather we got a few weeks ago and the water situation slowed progress by a couple days, as crews, along with many, many other city employees, helped out with the emergency response,” Kintner said.

The project is funded out of the Capital Improvement Budget. The cost of $28,000 includes the equipment and installation, which is being completed by Parks and Recreation Maintenance crews.

“The loop around the park is just under a quarter mile, and many park patrons walk this loop on a daily basis,” Kintner said.

The project aligns with the Let’s Move Mercer Island campaign to improve health and wellness in the community and promote physical activity, Kintner said.

One of the pieces of equipment was donated.

“We were approached by a resident with a request to install an outdoor fitness station at Bicentennial Park near the staircase that goes up the hill in honor of Joey Abramson, who passed away in summer 2013,” said recreation superintendent Diane Mortensen. “Friends and family wanted to donate something in his honor to show his love for fitness and dedication of climbing of the stairs in the park.”

The Parks and Recreation Department suggested there was an opportunity for them to raise money for one of the pieces of equipment – a $4,000 static stretch piece donated by his friends, including Islander Avi Freedman.

A plaque to be installed by the stairs will read: “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs. Honoring the life of Joey Abramson, who loved to run these stairs.”

Let’s Move Mercer Island raises awareness for a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and physical activity in collaboration with community partners.

For more, visit www.letsmovemercerisland.com.