PULSE BEAT P A R A M O U N T
May 2013
Serving the Community Since 1990
www.paramountchamber.com
Paramount’s Newest Park Opens “To Your Health” Salud Park Is Free Outdoor Gym For Residents calls for the City to pay a mere $4,600 a year for the first five years, with minor increases every five years thereafter. The park features a decomposed-granite pathway for walkers and joggers and a 440-yard, rubberized, running/ jogging track (a first of its kind for Paramount). The infield of the track is a synthetic turf area available for a variety of sports. This synthetic turf allows for year-round use, since
there won’t be a need to replant natural grass as is sometimes necessary due to heavy usage and rainstorms. Plus, it will save significant water costs. And while the park has natural turf areas elsewhere, the majority of the landscaping is drought-tolerant. Outdoor exercise equipment includes ellipticals, rowing machines, legs presses, and more. A “plaza” provides space for instructional fitness
classes. Completing the amenities is a sand volleyball court. The inter-agency cooperation that created Salud Park has saved the City millions of dollars in these tough economic times, money that will ultimately be used for other programs and services for residents. And it provides the residents of Paramount with a free “gym membership,” available for use seven days a week, a long-term public benefit.
Paramount residents took part in yoga, pilates and zumba demonstrations at the fitness “plaza” during the grand opening of “To Your Health!” Salud Park. The new facility is located at the corner of Texaco St. and Somerset Blvd.
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he grand opening of “To Your Health!” Salud Park was held on Saturday, April 20th. The new park is located at the corner of Texaco St. and Somerset Blvd. Hundreds of residents joined the City Council in celebrating the debut and tried out the exercise stations and walking/running paths and tracks, viewed healthy cooking presentations, and took part in yoga, pilates and zumba demonstrations. The City of Paramount has been in the process of creating as many fitness options as possible for residents, a “healthy-living initiative.” A few years ago, Dills Park was redesigned and enlarged, providing a number of benefits such as a connection to the L.A. River bike path, exercise stations, hiking paths, and more. Since then, exercise equipment has been added to Progress Park, and more will be installed at Paramount Park. In addition, a biking/ walking trail is under con-
struction along the Metropolitan Transit Authority right-ofway through the City. Salud Park is located on ten acres of Southern California Edison right-of-way property. Working closely with SCE – and gaining approval from the Public Utilities Commission and L.A. County Fire Department – the City was able to produce a first-class facility of attractive open space that will serve thousands of residents with very little impact on the municipal budget. The City was amongst 500 applicants from all over California for a Prop. 84 grant for the project. The high quality of the planning, and the obvious need for park space in Paramount, proved to be decisive. The City was one of 62 applicants to be awarded funds – only three other similar cities in the Southeast Los Angeles County area were also chosen. The $4.5 million from Prop. 84 covered construction. The lease agreement with SCE
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