It's All Yours, Newport!

-- Watch the Ribbon Cutting Video --

NEWPORT, July 11, 2019 —Today, AARP State Director Kathleen Connell opened the fourth AARP sponsored fitness park in Newport’s Aquidneck Park. Over the next several years, AARP plans to sponsor a fitness park in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FitLot, a national nonprofit, will construct over a dozen parks in 2019, which will include FitLot^TM exercise equipment that can be adapted to meet a wide range of fitness levels and abilities.

“AARP has a long history of working with City of Newport, numerous community partners and hundreds and hundreds of volunteers over the years,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Kathleen Connell , a Newport native who resides in Middletown. “A reliable synergy has evolved that allows us to get things done and this is just the latest example. AARP, the City and Edward King House teamed up to make the fitness park possible on a very tight timeline of siting, approvals and installation. Our gift to the city was met with nothing but support and gratitude every step of the way.”

The opening ceremony included by Newport Councilwoman Jean Marie Napalitano; Erik Reis, Newport Parks & Recreation; Adam Mejerson from FitLot; and Carmela Geer, Executive Director, Edward King House, along with scores of AARP volunteers and Newport residents.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to call Newport home to this great resource, said Mayor Bova. “This was truly a community effort and we owe special thanks to all those involved in bringing this innovative piece of equipment to the city, including AARP of Rhode, our friends at the Edward King House Senior Center, our Public Services staff. Councilor Jeanne Marie Napolitano also deserves a great deal of credit for spearheading the effort on behalf of the council as we work to make Newport an Age Friendly community.”

“We’ve been working to get a piece of physical equipment for adults for years, and I’m amazed with just how quickly this all came together,” Napolitano said. “This is going to be a great contribution to the city and not only for adults but for all members of the community. I’m looking forward to seeing people out enjoying this incredible piece of equipment. I think it’s the perfect spot and I expect a lot to be happening here.”

-- View More Opening Day Photos --

#AARPRI (hexadecimal #ffffff)

The next fitness park sponsored by AARP open July 12 in Bangor, Maine, and more than a dozen parks are planned for 2019 in locations across the country.

Newport Daily News: Playground for Grownups Opens in Aquidneck Park
Newport Patch: Newport FitLot is an Exercise Playground for Adults