Kent receives grant funding for fitness equipment to combat childhood obesity
Published 10:49 am Friday, September 5, 2014
For the Reporter
The city of Kent, along with King County Parks and six other South King County cities, have teamed up to add outdoor fitness equipment for youth and teens and their families to encourage healthy living and exercise as part of the “I” CANN healthy living initiative to combat childhood obesity.
A $100,000 King County Youth Sports Facilities Grant provided funding for the equipment. Kent’s West Fenwick Park on the West Hill will be getting a chest/back press, pull up/dip bar, ab crunch, balance steps and an assisted row piece, valued at $14,000.
Through the South King County Community Activity Nutrition Network initiative (“I” CANN), local cities, King County Public Health, King County Parks, local hospitals, schools, businesses and organizations are working to help educate children and families about this chronic health issue and promoting healthy activity opportunities and nutritional information.
“We all own part of this initiative and we seek to encourage people in our communities to make healthy choices,” said Kent Parks Director Jeff Watling.
“South King County has a higher rate of youth obesity than the rest of the county, with 25 percent percent of youth being overweight or obese. By combining resources, we can help to reduce these percentages,” Watling added.
